Oleg Tymchenko’s team came out on top in a hard-fought match against the Estonian side.
Kyiv Capitals (Ukraine) – Panter (Estonia) – 2:1 (0:0; 2:1; 0:0)
Goals: 1:0 – Bajaruns (Karsums, Begovs), 21:23; 1:1 – Puzakov (Fedorovits), 24:51; 2:1 – Bajaruns (Begovs), 31:16.
Kyiv Capitals: Janis Voris; Vitalii Andreykiv – Eduards Hugo Jansons, Martins Karsums (c) – Lauris Bajaruns – Rustams Begovs; Edmunds Augstkalns – Andrejs Kostjuks, Denys Honcharenko – Danylo Tsarkovskyi – Daniil Fursa; Oleksii Melnykov – Ivan Shamardin, Oleksandr Valkun – Aleksandrs Novikovs – Kristians Zelts; Valentyn Sirchenko, Marat Saroka – Denys Plesovskykh – Renars Cipruss
Head Coach: Oleh Tymchenko
Panter: Georg Vladimirov; Niklas Silbre – Saveli Novikov, Lenni Suutari – Rasmus Kiik (c) – Andre Linde; Riko Marder Velja – Konrad Kudeviita, Maksim Lovkov – Nikita Fedorovits – Nikita Puzakov; Hendrik Paul Laosma – Jegor Proskurin, Artem Masljonov – Vadim Vasjonkin – Mihkel Vorang; Roland Luht – Jens Hubert Parras, Marten Poldmets – Akim Frolkov – Artem Abeljanov
Head Coach: Mikko Maenpaa
For their first home game in the Optibet League, Oleh Tymchenko’s team made slight adjustments. Novikovs and Valkun moved to the third line, while Saroka and Cipruss were placed on the fourth.
The competitive start was broken by a 5+20 penalty for Zelts for boarding. However, Vasyonkin was quickly penalized as well. In the end, Panter’s three minutes with a man advantage passed without creating danger.
With 6:55 left in the first period, Capitals got their chance on the power play, but couldn’t capitalize. The opening 20 minutes ended scoreless.
Kyiv began the second period actively. The first line executed a well-worked play, finished by Bayaruns with a precise shot.
Tallinn’s team responded quickly. Puzakov showcased excellent individual skill, and with a powerful top-corner shot from mid-range, left Voris with no chance.
The second frame was played at a calmer pace. Both teams pushed hard offensively, stayed disciplined, and exchanged goals.
An unstoppable Bajaruns restored the lead for Tymchenko’s side. After Begovs won a face-off in the offensive zone, Lauris beat his man brilliantly and fired into the corner past Vladimir.
The final period turned into a tense battle. Capitals had chances to extend their lead, but Voris also had plenty of work to do. In the last 46 seconds, Panter played 6×5, but the game ended with a second straight victory for the Ukrainian team in the Optibet League.
On Saturday, Capitals will continue their campaign with a home match against Liepaja.
