Oleg Tymchenko’s team saw their winning streak against the Estonian side come to an end.
Kyiv Capitals (Ukraine) – Panter (Estonia) – 4:5, OT (0:2; 3:1; 1:1; 0:1)
Goals: 0:1 – Novikov (Puzakov, Linde, – double power play), 09:13; 0:2 – Kiik, 18:30; 1:2 – Honcharenko, 21:41; 2:2 – Tsarkovskyi (Honcharenko, Hu, – power play), 33:08; 3:2 – Hu (Tsarkovskyi, Augstkalns, – power play), 35:48; 3:3 – Sildre (Vasjonkin, Lovkov, – power play), 38:01; 3:4 – Kiik, 44:24; 4:4 – Fursa (Kryvonozhkin, Bajaruns), 59:08; 4:5 – Fedorovits (Parras, – power play), 62:13.
Kyiv Capitals: Janis Voris (Nazar Boiko, 24:20; Janis Voris, 30:01); Vitalii Andreykiv – Eduards Hugo Jansons, Martins Karsums (c) – Lauris Bajaruns – Rustams Begovs; Daniel Klinecky – Edmunds Augstkalns, Yang Hu – Daniil Fursa – Aleksandrs Novikovs; Andrejs Kostjuks – Ivan Shamardin, Mykhailo Kovalchuk – Denys Honcharenko – Danylo Tsarkovskyi; Oleksii Melnykov – Maksims Sirokovs, Andrii Kryvonozhkin – Renars Cipruss – Kristians Zelts.
Head coach: Oleh Tymchenko
Panter: Eetu Nieminen; Roland Luht – Savelii Novikov, Nikita Puzakov – Rasmus Kiik (c) – Andre Linde; Niklas Sildre – Jegor Proskurin, Vadim Vasjonkin – Maksim Lovkov – Nikita Fedorovits; Dominik Luht – Rico Marder-Velja, Warren Roberts-Lee – Lenni Suutari – Kevin Parras; Artjom Timofejev, Artjom Masljonov – Akim Frolkov – Mihkel Vorang.
Head coach: Mikko Maenpaa
Kyiv Capitals approached the game with a modified lineup. Sirchenko was left out of the roster, while newcomer Mykhailo Kovalchuk took a spot on the third forward line. As usual, there was rotation in goal, with Voris once again starting between the pipes. Overall, changes affected all lines except the first.
The game began evenly, forcing both Nieminen and Voris into action early on. However, in the eighth minute, the visitors received a gift they capitalized on. After penalties to Hu and Augstkalns, Mikko Maenpaa’s team had 1:37 of 5×3 power-play time. For 1:25 of it, the Capitals’ goalie managed to keep his team in the game, but Voris was unable to stop Novikov’s powerful long-range shot, with Kostjuks screening his view.
More disappointment followed for the hosts late in the period. Klinecky made an unforced turnover, and Voris failed to secure the puck after a shot by Roberts-Lee. Kiik pounced on the rebound to double Panter’s lead.
The task for Kyiv in the second period was to come out fully charged to rescue the situation. Honcharenko did this best, quickly helped by a bit of luck, cutting the deficit. After a cross-line pass by Denys, Proskurin deflected the puck into his own net.
The Capitals equalized by converting a power play. This time, Honcharenko provided the assist, while Tsarkovskyi unleashed a powerful shot from the slot that left Nieminen with no chance.
The pressure with the man advantage continued, helping Kyiv take the lead. Hu redirected Tsarkovskyi’s shot and then finished on the rebound, beating Nieminen for the third time.
However, just when it seemed the game had turned in Kyiv’s favor, the visitors tied the score again, also during power play. Sildre caught Voris off guard with a direct shot from the blue line.
Early in the third period, Kiik showcased excellent individual skill. Panter’s captain stripped Hu of the puck, then beat Augstkalns and Voris in succession to complete his brace. As a result, the Capitals once again found themselves trailing.
The game moved toward its conclusion with the one-goal margin intact. With 1:43 remaining in the third period, Oleg Tymchenko pulled Voris for an extra attacker, a move that soon paid off. After a pass from Bajaruns, Fursa beat Nieminen to score against his former team. Consequently, the winner had to be decided in overtime.
Just 29 seconds into the extra period, Jansons was penalized, and the visitors made the most of it. Fedorovits scored the game-winning goal, handing Panter a sensational victory. With the win, the Estonian side reached 22 points and solidified its sixth-place position. As for Kyiv Capitals, they remain second, one point behind Mogo/RSU, who lost in overtime to Liepaja.
Next Saturday, Kyiv Capitals will face the current league leaders.
