Oleg Tymchenko’s team successfully returned to game action after the international break.
Compared to the matchup two weeks ago, the Kyiv roster underwent some adjustments. Mölder replaced Huunonen as the last line of defense. In addition, Stradnieks and Morozov did not participate in this meeting. Meanwhile, among the newcomers, Kiik got a chance to make his debut.
Among the hosts’ roster, Voris was absent, so the goaltending duties were assigned to his younger colleagues. Kirpickins appeared on the ice from the start. The puck ended up in his net quite quickly, as the Ukrainian representatives capitalized on their first power play thanks to a goal from Sprukts.
In the 6th minute, the Kyiv Capitals doubled their advantage. Svars found an absolutely unmarked Begovs in front of the opponent’s net, and Rustams left Kirpickins with no chances with a powerful shot.
In the second half of the period, the visitors increased their scoring efficiency. Another power play for our team was converted into his debut goal by Kiik, who successfully played the rebound after a shot by Svars. The championship’s top scorer, Sarkanis, also contributed, scoring the fourth goal of the game, and 22 seconds before the first intermission, Kiik set up Korenchuk for a shot with a penetrating pass. Illia made no mistake, setting the final score of the first period at 0:5.
The second 20-minute period also started with successful actions by the Kyiv team in a 5×4 format. Svars upset Kirpickins for the sixth time with a shot from the blue line, and after the seventh goal, scored by Tsarkovskyi, Rozentals appeared in net for HS Riga/Dinaburga.
The last three goals allowed Begovs, Sarkanis, and Tsarkovskyi to complete their braces. In the 34th minute, the score became double digits – 0:10, but there were no more goals in the matchup.
We should specifically highlight the play of Oleg Tymchenko’s team on special teams, as they converted four out of five power play opportunities. Also, Mölder recorded his second shutout of the season. And once again, it happened in Daugavpils.
This dominant victory allowed our team to reach 24 points after 15 matches, which allows them to continue holding the top spot. Meanwhile, the hosts dropped to seventh place. They remain with eight points.
HS Riga/Dinaburga (Latvia) – Kyiv Capitals (Ukraine) – 0:10 (0:5; 0:5; 0:0)
Goals: 0:1 – Sprukts (Cipruss, Sarkanis – power play), 02:59; 0:2 – Begovs (Svars, Brants), 05:36; 0:3 – Kiik (Svars, Korenchuk – power play), 12:47; 0:4 – Sarkanis (Sprukts, Andreykiv), 14:41; 0:5 – Korenchuk (Kiik), 19:38; 0:6 – Svars (Siekkinen, Korenchuk – power play), 24:24; 0:7 – Tsarkovskyi (Svars, Kovalchuk), 26:38; 0:8 – Begovs (Zukauskas, Honcharenko), 28:33; 0:9 – Sarkanis (Sprukts – power play), 28:54; 0:10 – Tsarkovskyi (Kovalchuk, Siekkinen), 33:43.
HS Riga/Dinaburga: Jegors Kirpickins (Gustavs Rozentals, 26:38); Kristaps Kandis – Janis Paulins, Jaroslavs Cirkins – Felikss Niks Paurs – Maks Olivers Mezins; Ivans Zaicevs – Markuss Pastars (c), Roberts Zile – Aleksejs Biskins – Imants Biters; Maksims Sirokovs – Armands Milass, Arturs Uzulis – Alekss Strelnieks – Kristers Sirjajevs; Ivan Kozachkov – Daniils Gasparovics, Kirills Susencevs – Nikita Soskovecs – Toms Pastars.
Head coach: Raimonds Vilkoits
Kyiv Capitals: Conrad Mölder; Vitalii Andreykiv – Eduards Hugo Jansons, Gatis Sprukts (c) – Renars Cipruss – Deivids Sarkanis; Pauls Svars – Harijs Brants, Illia Korenchuk – Rasmus Kiik – Rustams Begovs; Ville Rautiala – Jani Siekkinen, Mykhailo Kovalchuk – Danylo Tsarkovskyi – Maksims Saperins; Anton Romanyshyn, Denys Honcharenko – Lukas Zukauskas.
Head coach: Oleg Tymchenko
Next Saturday, the championship will continue for our team with an away match against Panter.
