Oleg Tymchenko`s team lost its advantage late in regulation time but snatched the win in overtime.
Mogo/RSU (Latvia) – Kyiv Capitals (Ukraine) – 1:2, OT (0:0; 0:1; 1:0; 0:1)
Goals: 0:1 – Kovalchuk (power play), 28:20; 1:1 – Ansons (Sarkanis, Meija), 58:55; 1:2 – Augstkalns (Bajaruns, – power play), 64:21.
Series score – 0:1.
Mogo/RSU: Karlis Mezsargs; Niks Fenenko – Krisjanis Redlihs, Ernests Krums – Kaspars Ziemins – Kristers Ansons; Renarts Berzins – Kristaps Sotnieks, Deivids Sarkanis – Janis Zemitis – Maris Bicevskis; Vladimirs Zaicevs – Ingus Locmelis, Gints Meija (c) – Gatis Sprukts – Elviss Zelubovskis; Kristaps Jakobsons – Aleksandrs Biskins, Ralfs Dragons – Timurs Solostejs – Rolans Vasiljevs.
Head coach: Girts Ankipans
Kyiv Capitals: Nazar Boiko; Vitalii Andreykiv – Eduards Hugo Jansonss, Yang Hu – Martins Karsums (c) – Lauris Bajaruns; Ivan Shamardin – Andrejs Kostjuks, Mykhailo Kovalchuk – Danylo Tsarkovskyi – Daniil Fursa; Daniel Klinecky – Edmunds Augstkalns, Renars Cipruss – Aleksandrs Novikovs – Rustams Begovs; Oleksii Melnykov, Andrii Kryvonozhkin – Valentyn Sirchenko – Denys Honcharenko.
Head coach: Oleg Tymchenko
For the first semifinal game, the hosts made slight changes to their fourth line compared to the previous head-to-head win. In addition, Karlis Mezsargs started in goal.
For the Kyiv side, Tymchenko made a rather unexpected move by reshuffling the first line, with Yang Hu replacing Rustams Begovs in attack. The visitors were without Alberto Colli due to suspension, and Kristians Zelts was also absent from the roster. The timely return of Edmunds Augstkalns proved important, as he formed the third defensive pair with Daniel Klinecky. Daniil Fursa also returned to the second line after missing the previous game against Prizma.
In the first period, the Capitals outshot their opponents, but the score remained 0:0. They failed to capitalize on a two-minute power play, and the hosts likewise missed their chance.
Special teams later became the key factor. The visitors converted their second power play into the opening goal in the 29th minute. Kovalchuk won the puck against two opponents and finished a one-on-one chance against Mezsargs. It was his fourth point in the playoffs.
Tymchenko’s team held a narrow lead almost until the final moments. However, a bold move by Ankipans – pulling the goalie – paid off. Ansons equalized with 65 seconds remaining in regulation, sending the game to overtime.
Early in overtime, the Riga side took their third penalty of the game, and Kyiv capitalized once again. A powerful shot from Augstkalns secured the overtime victory for the visitors and gave them a 1:0 lead in the series.
The teams will meet again on March 26 at Mogo Ice Arena.
