Oleg Tymchenko`s team extended its home winning streak against Mogo/RSU, securing a comeback victory.
Kyiv Capitals (Ukraine) – Mogo/RSU (Latvia) – 3:2 (0:0; 0:1; 3:1)
Goals: 0:1 – Meija (Sarkanis, Ansons, – power play), 33:54; 1:1 – Sirchenko (Hu), 41:47;
2:1 – Janson (Fursa, Tsarkovskyi), 42:02; 2:2 – Meija (Sprukts, Sarkanis, – power play), 44:44;
3:2 – Klinecky (Hu), 59:47.
Series score: 2:1.
Kyiv Capitals: Janis Voris; Daniel Klinecky – Eduards Hugo Jansons, Martins Karsums (c) – Lauris Bajaruns – Rustams Begovs; Edmunds Augstkalns – Valentyn Sirchenko, Yang Hu – Andrii Kryvonozhkin – Renars Cipruss; Alberto Colli – Andrejs Kostjuks, Mykhailo Kovalchuk – Danylo Tsarkovskyi – Daniil Fursa; Oleksii Melnykov, Denys Honcharenko – Aleksandrs Novikovs – Kristians Zelts.
Head coach: Oleg Tymchenko
Mogo/RSU: Henrijs Ancs; Kristaps Jakobsons – Renarts Berzins, Gints Meija (c) – Rolans Vasiljevs – Maris Bicevskis; Ingus Locmelis – Vladimirs Zaicevs, Gatis Sprukts – Elviss Zelubovskis – Kaspars Ziemins; Krisjanis Redlihs – Niks Fenenko, Deivids Sarkanis – Ernests Krums – Kristers Ansons; Aleks Elians Leonovs – Aleksandrs Biskins, Ralfs Dragons – Timurs Solostejs – Janis Zemitis.
Head coach: Girts Ankipans
Mogo/RSU came into the game with just one lineup change. Ancs, who replaced the injured Mezsargs in the third period of the previous match, started from the opening minutes.
For Kyiv, Janis Voris appeared in the starting lineup for the first time in two months. It is worth recalling that he suffered an injury on January 31 in a game against Mogo/RSU. Among skaters, Tymchenko could not rely on Andreykiv and Shamardin for this match, while Melnykov and Zelts returned to the roster.
Both teams eased into the game, and after a rather uneventful first period, the opening goal came in the second twenty-minute stretch. The Latvian side converted their second power play: Meija deflected Sarkanis’ shot into Voris’ net, giving the visitors a narrow lead heading into the second intermission.
Once again, the defensemen’s strong attacking play helped the Kyiv Capitals. Early in the third period, Sirchenko scored his first Optibet League goal with a shot from the blue line, and just 17 seconds later, Janson netted his seventh playoff goal to put Kyiv ahead.
However, the visitors responded. Meija completed a brace during another power play after a pass across the crease from Sarkanis.
The game seemed to be heading for overtime, but Klinecky’s powerful shot with 13 seconds left in regulation secured the lead for Kyiv. Still, there was late drama: the visitors pulled their goalie and had a great chance to equalize, but Voris marked his return with a brilliant save on Sarkanis’ shot in the final second.
This dramatic finish allowed Tymchenko’s team to take a 2:1 lead in the series. The teams will meet again on March 30 at the Inbox Arena.
