Optibet League. October 24, 13:30. Pinki, Inbox Ice Arena.
This Saturday in Pinki will undoubtedly host the marquee matchup of the weekend, as the current league leaders go head-to-head. The Kyiv team currently sits three points ahead of their rivals, but the Riga squad has two games in hand.
Ģirts Ankipans’ squad played their last league game back on October 10. This hiatus was due to the team’s participation in the first round of the Continental Cup, hosted in Elektrenai. The Latvians confidently defeated Lithuania’s Energija (6:1) and Spain’s Jaca (8:1). In their clash against Sokil Kyiv, they were trailing 1:3 with just nine minutes left in the third period, but managed to force overtime, where they snatched a ticket to the next stage.
Mogo/RSU’s current Optibet League winning streak stands at five games. It began with an incredibly bitter 2:9 head-to-head defeat for our side. So far, the only opponent to have beaten the Riga outfit is Liepaja, who managed to do so in overtime.
However, the Kyiv Capitals learned their lessons from that painful blow, bouncing back to string together eight consecutive victories. Our team’s first offensive line is in phenomenal form, topping the league’s statistical charts: Deivids Sarkanis (30 points, 12+18), Kevins Stradnieks (20 points, 8+12), and Gatis Sprukts (20 points, 5+15). Moreover, fourth place is occupied by another member of the Kyiv team’s starting unit, defenseman Eduards Hugo Jansons, who has 14 points (5+9). The closest pursuer on the opposing roster is Kristaps Skrastins (13 points, 8+5).
Undoubtedly, our players will be highly motivated to avenge their previous defeat. We will see it all unfold on the ice tomorrow.
