Oleg Tymchenko’s men once again had a successful trip to Vilnius.
Hockey Punks (Lithuania) – Kyiv Capitals (Ukraine) – 2:4 (1:1; 1:3; 0:0)
Goals: 0:1 – Fursa (Hu, Honcharenko, – power play), 01:35; 1:1 – Ragas (Belichenka, Michalevich), 02:54; 1:2 – Bajaruns (Andreykiv, Jansons), 25:06; 1:3 – Fursa (Hu, Honcharenko, – power play), 29:38; 1:4 – Karsums (Augstkalns, Zelts, – power play), 35:31; 2:4 – Mukovoz (Cetvertak, – power play), 36:48.
Hockey Punks: Artur Pavliukov; Jani Tapani Siekkinen – Rokas Bacevicius (c), Luke Fox Kutkevicius – Alex Maunula – Ilja Cetvertak; Dominykas Motejunas – Kajus Zeynalov, Timonas Mazulis – Laisvydas Kudrevicius – Povilas Verenis; Benas Belicenka – Herkus Marcinkevicius, Nolan James Regan – Artem Redko – Ilja Zuckovs; Dino Mukovoz – Nojus Jonas Kudzevicius, Ilja Michalevich – Kirill Struk – Ignotas Ragas.
Head coach: Dovydas Kulevicius
Kyiv Capitals: Janis Voris; Vitalii Andreykiv – Eduards Hugo Jansons, Martins Karsums (c) – Lauris Bajaruns – Rustams Begovs; Oleksii Melnykov – Edmunds Augstkalns, Yang Hu – Denys Honcharenko – Kristians Zelts; Maksims Sirokovs – Ivan Shamardin, Danylo Tsarkovskyi – Daniil Fursa – Renars Cipruss; Valentyn Sirchenko, Oleksandr Valkun – Denys Plesovskykh – Aleksandrs Novikovs.
Head coach: Oleh Tymchenko
The Capitals entered this matchup with some lineup changes. Kryvonozhkin, Kostjuks, and Saroka were unavailable for the game. Meanwhile, the coaching staff entrusted the starting spot in goal to Voris.
The opening period proved to be very active. The Capitals struck first, converting on a power play after a beautiful passing combination from Honcharenko–Hu–Fursa. Still, the Lithuanians equalized just a minute later when Ragas restored parity at even strength.
In the second period, thanks to the efforts of the Capitals’ first line, the visitors regained the lead. Pavliukov stopped Andreykiv’s shot, but Bajaruns was quick to capitalize on the rebound.
Oleh Tymchenko’s squad kept the momentum going, converting two more power plays within the next ten minutes. Fursa completed his brace after another well-executed passing sequence. The play looked almost identical to the first goal — Hu sent a low pass across, and Daniil was perfectly positioned to redirect it into the net.
Karsums also added to his point tally – this time not with an assist, but with a goal of his own, showing great composure in front of the net.
Before the second intermission, Hockey Punks managed to cut the deficit, also scoring on the power play. Cetvertak delivered a precise pass to Mukovoz, who stylishly deflected the puck past Voris.
In the final frame, both teams had power-play opportunities but failed to capitalize on them.
As a result, the Capitals defeated the Vilnius side for the second time in a month, collected 22 points, and reclaimed first place in the standings. On October 29, Kyiv will host their nearest rival, Zemgale/LBTU, in the next home fixture.
