Oleg Tymchenko’s squad conceded the decisive goal in the final minute of regulation.
The Kyiv team approached the game in Jelgava with their usual roster, though not without some line adjustments. Saperins replaced Korenchuk on the second offensive unit, while Morozov stepped in for Cipruss on the third. In accordance with the team’s standard rotation, Conrad Mölder took his place in net.
The fate of a rather evenly played opening period was decided by a single moment. In the 19th minute, Fjodorovs won an offensive zone faceoff, and Seilis found Upenieks in the slot with a precise pass, who skillfully beat Mölder.
After the intermission, Millers took two consecutive penalties, the second of which resulted in a successful conversion for Oleg Tymchenko’s squad. Begovs found Sprukts near the opponent’s net, and Stradnieks one-timed the captain’s cross-crease pass to tie the game.
The ensuing power play, however, resulted in a painful blow for our team. Jansons slipped while receiving a pass from Sarkanis, allowing Streikiss to intercept the puck and masterfully convert the resulting breakaway against Mölder.
Before the second intermission, the Kyiv Capitals players took three penalties of their own. Artis Abols’ squad capitalized on their final power play opportunity of the middle frame to score their third goal. Rokis won an offensive zone faceoff, and Gricinskis caught Mölder off guard with a mid-range shot.
The start of the third period was highly successful for the visitors. Just 19 seconds in, Jansons first cut the deficit to one with a blast from the blue line. Shortly after, it was Jansons again who skated the puck out of his own zone all the way to the right faceoff circle, picking the far top corner of Ozols’s net.
In the final 10 minutes, the Kyiv team earned another chance to play 5×4 but failed to take the lead. Instead, Siekkinen’s penalty with 1:54 remaining in the third period proved fatal. Antons found open ice in the slot to receive Bajaruns’ pass and restore Zemgale/LBTU’s lead. The visitors had 48 seconds to play 6×5 with the extra attacker, but couldn’t generate the necessary scoring threats. Furthermore, Kyiv Capitals spent the closing moments of the game without Svars, who took a two-minute penalty.
Thus, the Jelgava side managed to avenge their road loss to the Ukrainian representatives. Oleg Tymchenko’s team remains at 20 points after 13 games played. Today’s opponents now have 14 points from 9 matches.
Zemgale/LBTU (Latvia) – Kyiv Capitals (Ukraine) – 4:3 (1:0, 2:1, 1:2)
Goals: 1:0 – Upenieks (Seilis, Fjodorovs), 18:38; 1:1 – Stradnieks (Sprukts, Begovs, – power play), 25:51; 2:1 – Streikiss (short-handed), 28:19; 3:1 – Gricinskis (Rokis, – power play), 34:02; 3:2 – Jansons (Sarkanis, Stradnieks), 40:18; 3:3 – Jansons (Honcharenko), 45:44; 4:3 – Antons (Bajaruns, Rokis, – power play), 59:12.
Zemgale/LBTU: Aksels Ozols; Arturs Karasa – Martins Vitols, Gatis Gricinskis – Lauris Bajaruns – Patriks Zabusovs; Andrians Klavins – Patriks Seilis, Artis Duklavs – Kristaps Rokis (c) – Gustavs Millers; Atte Rajala – Haralds Jirgenis, Martins Antons – Henrijs Girts Upenieks – Deniss Fjodorovs; Klavs Kovaļevskis – Roberts Vorona, Rauls Karupa – Markuss Streikiss – Aleksandrs Novikovs.
Head Coach: Artis Abols
Kyiv Capitals: Conrad Mölder; Vitalii Andreykiv – Eduards Hugo Jansons, Gatis Sprukts (c) – Kevins Stradnieks – Deivids Sarkanis; Pauls Svars – Harijs Brants, Olegs Sislannikovs – Maksims Saperins – Rustams Begovs; Ville Rautiala – Jani Siekkinen, Mykhailo Kovalchuk – Feliks Morozov – Danylo Tsarkovskyi; Anton Romanyshyn – Illia Korenchuk, Denys Honcharenko – Lukas Zukauskas – Renars Cipruss.
Head Coach: Oleg Tymchenko
On October 31, our team will face HS Riga/Dinaburga for the third time this season in their next scheduled match.
