Vadym Shakhraichuk’s team spent the third period unsuccessfully, conceding more than two goals from Oleg Shafarenko’s team for the first time this season.
Sokil (Кyiv) – Kyiv Capitals (Кyiv) – 4:2 (1:0, 0:2, 3:0)
Pucks: 1:0 – Babynets (Mazur, Sliusar, majority), 6:33; 1:1 – Taran, 23:05; 1:2 – Panchenko (Dvornyk), 39:55; 2:2 – Blahyi (Mazur, Sliusar, majority), 43:06; 3:2 – Borodai (Polonytskyi, Bondariev, majority), 44:52; 4:2 – Bondariev (Sliusar, Zherebko), 55:10
Sokil: Oleg Petrov (Bohdan Diachenko, 24:05); Vsevolod Tolstushko – Danyl Rymar, Serhii Babynets – Vadym Mazur – Roman Blahyi (c); Mykyta Polonytskyi – Oleksii Yanishevskyi, Maksym Zherebko – Artem Bondariev – Denys Borodai; Oleksandr Filimonov – Oleksandr Horlushko, Vasyl-Yurii Kachan – Illia Sobchenko – Maksym Razumov; Volodymyr Kostromitin – Ihor Sliusar
Head coach: Oleg Shafarenko
Kyiv Capitals: Boris Babik; Pavlo Taran – Deniss Berdniks, Vladyslav Kutsevych – Danylo Tyshchenko – Yaroslav Panchenko; Kostiantyn Riabenko – Eetu Moksunen, Andrii Kryvonozhkin – Mykola Dvornyk – Mykyta Oliynyk; Valentyn Sirchenko – Danylo Babchuk, Yevhen Sekirko (c) – Yehor Bezuhlyi – Vladyslav Luhovyi; Tymur Lapko – Oleksandr Dreval, Oleksandr Koida – Oleksandr Valkun – Denys Plesovskykh
Head coach: Vadym Shakhraichuk
It is worth mentioning that both teams participating in today’s meeting had significant personnel losses. However, the nominal hosts suffered more as they were unable to rely on Ruslan Romashchenko, Yevhen Govorushko, Viktor Zakharov, Volodymyr Cherdak, Denys Haiduk, and Volodymyr Aleksiuk due to various circumstances. On the other hand, Capitals had to play without their captain Serhii Chernenko, who was absent due to illness. Fortunately, Mykola Dvornyk recovered and rejoined the Capitals’ lineup.
In the first six minutes of the game, the nominal visitors received two penalties. Although Oleg Shafarenko’s team failed to capitalize on the first power play opportunity, but Sokil took advantage of the second one. With Mazur providing the assist, Babynets scored a powerful shot, beating Babik in the opposing team’s goal.
Before the first break, Kyiv Capitals had a 120-second power play but failed to convert their numerical advantage into a goal.
Early in the second period, Vadym Shakhraichuk’s team quickly equalized the score. Rymar delivered a cross pass that caught Petrov off guard, as he was defending the Sokil goal for the first time in the derby against Capitals. It is worth noting that, according to the official protocol, the goal was credited to Taran.
Within a minute, the visiting team appeared to have taken the lead for the first time, but the goal was disallowed due to Kryvonozhkin’s high stick. Despite this incident, Oleg Shafarenko decided to replace the goalkeeper and sent Dyachenko onto the ice.
The current match was reminiscent of previous encounters between the teams, featuring intense battles and relatively few shots on goal. During the period, Sokil had three power play opportunities compared to one for Kyiv Capitals. It is also worth mentioning the outstanding performance of Babik, who made multiple crucial saves for his team.
Instead, Vadym Shakhraichuk’s team managed to take the lead before the second break, scoring with just five seconds left on the clock. Dvornyk made a shot from behind the goal, and Panchenko skillfully positioned himself among the numerous players, leaving Dyachenko with no chance to save. It is worth noting that this goal marked the 28th for our team’s forward in the championship.
At the beginning of the final 20 minutes, the home team once again capitalized on their numerical advantage. Mazur showcased his skills with another assist, setting up Blahyi to secure possession of the puck. In less than two minutes, Oleg Shafarenko’s team took the lead for the second time, thanks to their effective power play. Borodai took credit for this goal. Consequently, Sokil managed to score three times against Kyiv Capitals in regular time for the first time this season.
With just about five minutes remaining in the match, Oleg Shafarenko’s team managed to score their first goal, bringing the teams to an even score. Bondariev swiftly launched a counterattack and initially hit the goal frame, but was quick to capitalize on the opportunity, successfully scoring against Babik, securing the team’s fourth goal.
As a result, Sokil accumulated a total of 56 points and solidified their position at the top of the standings. In contrast, Kyiv Capitals remained in second place with two matches still to be played, currently holding 47 points. Vadym Shakhraichuk’s team will play against Kremenchuk next Sunday. On the other hand, Oleh Shafarenko’s team will be playing against Dnipro on Saturday.
