Oleg Tymchenko’s team took revenge for the recent home loss to the opponent.
Kyiv Capitals (Ukraine) – Zemgale/LBTU (Latvia) – 3:1 (1:1; 2:0; 0:0)
Goals: 1:0 – Kryvonozhkin, 04:26; 1:1 – Seilis (Bernhards), 09:21; 2:1 – Tsarkovskyi (Hu, Jansons, – power play), 23:15; 3:1 – Andreykiv (Begovs, Shamardin), 36:55.
Kyiv Capitals: Janis Voris; Vitalii Andreykiv – Eduards Hugo Jansons, Martins Karsums (c) – Lauris Bajaruns – Rustams Begovs; Maksims Sirokovs – Edmunds Augstkalns, Yang Hu – Andrii Kryvonozhkin – Daniil Fursa; Andrejs Kostjuks – Ivan Shamardin, Denys Honcharenko – Danylo Tsarkovskyi – Renars Cipruss; Valentyn Sirchenko – Oleksii Melnykov, Marat Saroka – Aleksandrs Novikovs – Kristians Zelts.
Head coach: Oleg Tymchenko
Zemgale/LBTU: Aksels Ozols; Martins Vitols – Patriks Seilis, Rihards Marenis (c) – Gatis Gricinskis – Patriks Zabusovs; Daniels Gorsanovs – Ricards Bernhards, Kristaps Rokis – Gustavs Millers – Haralds Jirgenis; Atte Rajala – Rauls Ladusans, Joonas Parviainen – Tomi Petteri Ansio – Arturs Karasa; Rauls Ozollapa – Karlis Gustavs Medzins, Markus Streikiss – Toms Mots – Toms Lindbergs.
Head coach: Artis Abols
In this match, OlegTymchenko opted for more experienced players. As a result, Valkun and Plesovskykh were left out of the lineup, and Voris took the starting spot in goal. As noted earlier, this game was important both in terms of the standings and in principle after the recent home defeat to the Jelgava-based team.
Our team started decisively. Kryvonozhkin received the puck at the blue line and, despite pressure from the defenders, fired a powerful shot past Ozols. A non-typical but very valuable goal from Andrii.
Before the first intermission, Artis Abols’ team equalized. Seilis, assisted by Bernhards, found the lower corner of Voris’ net.
In the second period, the Capitals took the lead thanks to a successful power play. Tsarkovskyi got past Jirgenis and, with a strong shot, left no chance for Ozols.
After that, converting opportunities in uneven situations became difficult. The Capitals were the ones penalized more often, but they managed to withstand the pressure.
Late in the second period, the hosts extended their lead. Andreikiv scored his debut goal in the Optibet League.
Despite the visitors’ efforts, they were unable to change the course of the game in the third period. Thus, Kyiv Capitals earned 28 points and caught up with Liepaja, who currently lead the standings.
On November 22, Oleg Tymchenko’s team will continue the championship with an away match against Prizma.
