Philadelphia Flyers
‘Our Favorite Goalkeeper’: Belarus Reacts to Aleksei Kolosov’s First NHL Win
Philadelphia Flyers rookie goalie Aleksei Kolosov already made NHL history earlier this season when he became the first Belarusian goalie to play in an NHL game, starting an Oct. 27 matchup with the Montreal Canadiens.
The 22-year-old made NHL history once again on Saturday, taking up more space in the record books and becoming the first Belarusian goalie to win an NHL game. Kolosov made 19 saves on 21 shots as the Flyers stormed back from a two-goal deficit to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in overtime on Saturday afternoon.
After yet another historic achievement, Belarus celebrates.
A number of Belarusian hockey fans — most of whom support Dinamo Minsk, Kolosov’s old KHL club –stormed the comments section of the official Philadelphia Flyers Instagram account after the team posted an image of Kolosov holding a commemorative puck labeled “1st NHL Win”.
“Kolosov, way to go, the best,” wrote one commenter, translated into English.
Another Belarusian fan said, “Well done, great match,” and included a fire emoji and a Belarusian flag emoji.
Flyers Rookie Aleksei Kolosov Elicits Emotional Reaction
Another Kolosov supporter, Nastassia Bublevich, wrote another heartwarming message for the Flyers rookie under the post.
“Our Alexei (heart emoji),” Bublevich wrote, translated to English. “Only yesterday in the arena we received congratulations from you on the 1,000th match of Dinamo in the KHL, and today we as the whole country are congratulating you on your first victory in the NHL! Good luck, our favorite goalkeeper (fire emoji)”
A Minsk fan left this comment (translated) for Aleksei Kolosov on Instagram 🩵🖤
Dinamo Minsk just celebrated their 1,000th KHL game yesterday pic.twitter.com/gP53HbO9zj
— Jonathan Bailey (@ByJonBailey) November 24, 2024
Based on Bublevich’s comment, it sounds like Kolosov recorded a message to be played in the arena for Minsk as they played their 1,000th KHL game on Friday. The support in Belarus is mutual.
As the lone representative of his nation at his position in the NHL, Kolosov’s achievements are very clearly a big deal back home. The young Flyers warden has had some ups and downs, to be clear, but he’s young and still learning. Kolosov is also doing it after missing virtually all of the preseason and training camp.
Kolosov appears to have already befriended fellow Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov, which will undoubtedly help him from a social perspective as the season grows long.
We can only hope that the young goalie feels his sacrifices and hard work have been rewarding thus far; Belarus is certainly proud of Kolosov and he appears to have quickly captivated the nation.
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With Kolosov, Fedotov, Ersson on the team, and Eetu Makiniemi @ LHV….and Bjarnason and Zavragin on the way the Flyers would appear to be very strong in goal for the future. No need to draft any goalies among the first six selections in the first two rounds of the next draft.
Bjarnason may be starting in goal for the Canadian side in next months IIHF U-20 tournament in Ottawa. Since the tournament is in Canada this year, the Canadian team will only carry two goalies….in case of an injury a back-up third goalie could be summoned very easily. Also Zavragin could be on the Kazakhstan side since Russia will not be participating—just not sure they will allow it….or even the KHL will release him from his team for that two week stretch.
Yep! I believe Bjarnason is the favorite to be the starter this year, though I’ve seen some predict Carter George from LA to take that role. I guess we’ll see soon enough. I think it makes more sense for Bjarnason to start over George as the older player.
I look forward to see how he does…even if he does not start the opening game, he should see some time in goal over that two week period. That Canadian team is projected to be loaded….Bonk, Gill and Jett Luchanko could all be on the squad also. Just not sure Barkey will make the opening roster, unless there is an injury. Battling back from mono took a told on him.