Oleg Tymchenko’s team defeated the reigning Optibet League champions for the third time this season.
Kyiv Capitals (Ukraine) – Mogo/RSU (Latvia) – 5:3 (1:0, 2:2, 2:1)
Goals: 1:0 – Andreykiv (Jansons, Novikovs), 08:15; 1:1 – Biskins (Fenenko, Meija), 25:49; 2:1 – Kryvonozhkin (Honcharenko, Tsarkovskyi), 26:06; 3:1 – Kovalchuk (Cipruss, Jansons), 27:09; 3:2 – Zelubovskis (Ziemins, Jakobsons, – power play), 37:36; 4:2 – Fursa (Karsums, – power play), 52:56; 4:3 – Fenenko (Biskins, Bicevskis), 55:55; 5:3 – Cipruss, 57:55.
Kyiv Capitals: Nazar Boiko; Vitalii Andreykiv – Eduards Hugo Jansons, Martins Karsums (c) – Lauris Bajaruns – Rustams Begovs; Daniel Klinecky – Ivan Shamardin, Mykhailo Kovalchuk – Daniil Fursa – Renars Cipruss; Edmunds Augstkalns – Alberto Colli, Andrii Kryvonozhkin – Danylo Tsarkovskyi – Denys Honcharenko; Andrejs Kostjuks – Oleksii Melnykov, Valentyn Sirchenko – Aleksandrs Novikovs.
Head coach: Oleg Tymchenko
Mogo/RSU: Karlis Mezsargs; Niks Fenenko – Renarts Berzins, Gints Meija (c) – Arturs Vegeris – Maris Bicevskis; Kristaps Jakobsons – Kristaps Sotnieks, Deivids Sarkanis – Janis Zemitis – Kristers Ansons; Krisjanis Redlihs – Ingus Locmelis, Gatis Sprukts – Elviss Zelubovskis – Kaspars Ziemins; Kristers Urbanovics – Reinis Martins Lejnieks, Aleksandrs Biskins – Ernests Krums – Rolans Vasiljevs.
Head coach: Girts Ankipans
Kyiv approached the game with several lineup changes. Zelts and Hu were absent from the roster, while Melnykov and Sirchenko returned. Boiko made his second start in a row, with the coaching staff entrusting him with his most important Optibet League appearance so far.
The first period was not particularly rich in goals. The only tally came from Andreykiv, who found himself unmarked near the blue line, skated in closer, and beat Mezsargs with an unstoppable shot.
The visitors started the second period more aggressively, allowing them to level the score. Biskins redirected Fenenko’s shot to beat Boiko for the first time.
The tie lasted only 17 seconds. Kyiv’s third line launched a quick attack that ended with a precise mid-range shot by Kryvonozhkin.
The Capitals then extended their lead to two goals. This time, Kovalchuk skillfully deflected Cipruss’ pass into the net. It was Mykhailo’s fifth goal since moving to Latvia.
However, the teams went into the second intermission with the hosts holding only a one-goal advantage after a rather unfortunate sequence. Boiko made a save on Zelubovskis’ shot, but the puck ricocheted off Colli’s stick and trickled into the net. The goal came on the first power play conversion of the game.
In the third period, Kyiv spent considerable time on the power play – including a two-man advantage – and Tymchenko’s men restored their two-goal cushion thanks to Fursa’s goal.
The Riga side once again cut the deficit to one. Klinecky failed to clear the puck from the defensive zone; Fenenko intercepted it and scored his fourth goal in matches against the Kyiv Capitals.
Still, Cipruss put an emphatic finishing touch on the highest-scoring head-to-head clash between the teams. Renars stylishly slipped the puck past Sprukts and then confidently beat Mezsargs to set the final score at 5:3.
Thus, Kyiv defeated the reigning champions for the third time this season and climbed to second place. They now trail league leaders Liepaja by just one point and still have a game in hand. Next Thursday, Tymchenko’s side will continue the season with an away game against HS Riga.
