Oleg Tymchenko’s team continued to claim maximum points on home ice.
For the match against the reigning Optibet League vice-champion, our squad saw a rotation among Ukrainian players, with Morozov coming in for Honcharenko. Meanwhile, the nod in goal went to Huunonen.
The first period turned out to be quite successful for the Kyiv team. Outshooting their opponents more than twofold, they managed to build a narrow one-goal lead. Kovalchuk carried the puck forward and unleashed an unexpected shot on Ozols’ net, finding the top corner precisely.
The main hope for the visitors came with a two-minute power play, but our team’s defense stood tall and handled it with composure.
Kyiv Capitals extended their advantage midway through the second period. Ozols repelled Sarkanis’ initial shot straight to Korenchuk, who slotted the rebound home with a one-touch finish.
A painful blow for the Jelgava squad was the third goal, conceded just 15 seconds before the second intermission. Rautiala delivered a cross-crease pass, with both Tsarkovskyi and Kovalchuk lurking at the far post ready to convert. Mykhailo reacted first to complete his brace.
Early in the third period, Andreykiv stretched the hosts’ lead even further, beating Ozols with a mid-range shot.
From there, Huunonen had plenty of work to do, putting in a solid performance to secure his second shutout of the season, which included denying a penalty shot from Novikovs.
Ultimately, the Kyiv team earned a 4:0 victory, extending their league winning streak to five games. Our team now has 14 points, keeping them in second place in the standings.
Kyiv Capitals (Ukraine) – Zemgale/LBTU (Latvia) – 4:0 (1:0, 2:0, 1:0)
Goals: 1:0 – Kovalchuk (Rautiala, Zukauskas), 11:57; 2:0 – Korenchuk (Sarkanis, Jansons), 30:33; 3:0 – Kovalchuk (Morozov, Rautiala), 39:45; 4:0 – Andreykiv (Stradnieks, Jansons), 44:28.
Kyiv Capitals: Romi Huunonen; Vitalii Andreykiv – Eduards Hugo Jansons, Gatis Sprukts (c) – Kevins Stradnieks – Deivids Sarkanis; Pauls Svars – Harijs Brants, Illia Korenchuk – Olegs Sislannikovs – Rustams Begovs; Ville Rautiala – Jani Siekkinen, Mykhailo Kovalchuk – Lukas Zukauskas – Renars Cipruss; Anton Romanyshyn, Feliks Morozov – Danylo Tsarkovskyi – Kristians Zelts.
Head Coach: Oleg Tymchenko
Zemgale/LBTU: Aksels Ozols; Arturs Karasa – Patriks Seilis, Lauris Bajaruns – Deniss Fjodorovs – Patriks Zabusovs; Adrians Klavins – Martins Vitols, Martins Antons – Kristaps Rokis (c) – Gustavs Millers; Atte Rajala – Haralds Jirgenis, Rauls Karupa – Markuss Streikiss – Aleksandrs Novikovs; Klavs Kovaļevskis, Roberts Vorona – Roberts Berzins – Bruno Vimba.
Head Coach: Artis Abols
The Kyivians will continue their season with a home match against HS Riga/Dinaburg on October 14.
