Oleg Tymchenko’s team was unable to continue their pleasant trend of victories against the Jelgava team.
Kyiv Capitals (Ukraine) – Zemgale/LBTU (Latvia) – 2:3 (1:0; 1:2; 0:1)
Goals: 1:0 – Hu (Honcharenko, – power play), 09:19; 1:1 – Millers (Seilis, Marenis), 24:30; 2:1 – Karsums (Bajaruns, Jansons), 31:18; 2:2 – Brants (Marenis), 33:24; 2:3 – Marenis (Rajala), 55:01.
Kyiv Capitals lineup: Janis Voris; Vitalii Andreikiv – Eduards Hugo Jansons, Martins Karsums (c) – Lauris Bajaruns – Rustams Begovs; Andrejs Kostjuks – Edmunds Augstkalns, Yang Hu – Denys Honcharenko – Kristians Zelts; Maksims Sirokovs – Ivan Shamardin, Danylo Tsarkovskyi – Daniil Fursa – Renars Cipruss; Valentyn Sirchenko – Oleksii Melnykov, Oleksandr Valkun – Andrii Kryvonozhkin – Aleksandrs Novikovs.
Head coach: Oleg Tymchenko
Zemgale/LBTU lineup: Aksels Ozols; Harijs Brants – Patriks Seilis, Rihards Marenis (c) – Gatis Gricinskis – Gustavs Millers; Daniels Gorsanovs – Martins Vitols, Kristers Brauns – Ricards Bernhards – Rauls Ozollapa; Atte Rajala – Rauls Ladusans, Joonas Parviainen – Tomi Petteri Ansio – Arturs Karasa; Roberts Berzins – Karlis Gustavs Medzins, Markus Streikiss – Toms Mots – Haralds Jirgens.
Head coach: Artis Abols
This matchup could rightfully be called the marquee game of the midweek, as the teams entered the clash sitting first and second in the standings, separated by just a single point.
In their previous meeting, Tymchenko’s squad earned an overtime victory on the road, so another close contest was expected. For this game, Kostjuks and Kryvonozhkin returned to the Capitals’ lineup, while Plesovskykh and Saroka were left out.
Midway through the first period, the home team took the lead while on the power play – though the goal came not so much from the numerical advantage as from Honcharenko’s individual brilliance. He reacted faster than Rajala and Karasa behind Ozols’ net and passed to Hu, who fired precisely into the corner. No other goals were scored during power plays.
In the second period, the teams’ first lines took control of the game. After a won faceoff, Seilis took a shot from the blue line, and Millers was first to the rebound, tying the score.
Just like in the previous head-to-head game, Karsums found the back of the net. The Capitals’ captain surprised Ozols with a sharp-angle shot, restoring the lead for the home side.
However, before the second break, the visitors drew level again. Marenis set up Brants for a shot, and he left Voris no chance to save it.
In the third period, Karsums appeared to have scored again, but after a video review, the goal was disallowed. Instead, the opposing captain had better luck – and «luck» is indeed the key word. Marenis fired a shot that deflected off Voris’ stick and, following an incredible trajectory, ended up in the Capitals’ net.
That moment proved decisive, allowing Artis Abols’ team to take revenge for their earlier loss and reclaim first place in the standings. With this victory, Zemgale/LBTU now leads by a single point over Liepaja and Kyiv Capitals.
On Saturday, Oleg Tymchenko’s team will continue their Optibet League campaign with an away game against Prizma.
