Oleg Tymchenko’s squad defeated HS Riga/Dinaburga for the third time this season.
Our team approached the final match of October with minor line adjustments, while Romi Huunonen took his place in net.
Undoubtedly, after two consecutive defeats, the Kyiv Capitals’ motivation to win was at an all-time high. The hosts began converting their chances into goals in the second half of the first period. Oleg Tymchenko’s squad managed to capitalize on their very first power play. Svars took a few strides in from the blue line toward Voris’ net and opened the scoring with a powerful shot into the corner.
By the first intermission, our team’s advantage had doubled. This time, the first offensive line stepped up. Jansons made a strong defensive play, orchestrating a quick rush that Stradnieks finished off with a powerful shot from the right face-off circle.
The second period proved decisive in this matchup. The Kyiv team quickly earned a man advantage, and it took Begovs just 41 seconds to extend his team’s lead. Sarkanis set Begovs up for a shot from the right face-off circle, leaving Voris powerless to stop it.
The fourth goal of the game was scored by Zukauskas, right before his departure to join the Lithuanian national team, but the visitors responded rather quickly with a tally by Apsitis.
Fifth goal of our team put the game entirely out of reach. While short-handed, Kovalchuk intercepted the puck and orchestrated a 3×1 odd-man rush, which Svars finished off to complete his brace. By the second intermission, two more Kyiv Capitals players – Stradnieks and Begovs – had also reached this two-goal milestone.
In the final frame, Kirpickins took over in the visitors’ net. He was beaten just once, following a scoring shot by Brants. The final 8:1 scoreline and the two points earned allowed our team to reclaim first place. Meanwhile, the opponent remained in seventh place in the league standings.
Kyiv Capitals (Ukraine) – HS Riga/Dinaburga (Latvia) – 8:1 (2:0, 5:1, 1:0)
Goals: 1:0 – Svars (Korenchuk, – power play), 15:08; 2:0 – Stradnieks (Sprukts, Sarkanis), 16:58; 3:0 – Begovs (Sarkanis, Sprukts, – power play), 21:39; 4:0 – Zukauskas (Honcharenko, Tsarkovskyi), 27:50; 4:1 – Apsitis (Vengers), 28:21; 5:1 – Svars (Kovalchuk, Brants, – short-handed), 35:34; 6:1 – Stradnieks (Sarkanis, Sprukts), 37:28; 7:1 – Begovs (Kovalchuk, Rautiala), 39:45; 8:1 – Brants (Ciprus, Korenchuk, – power play), 48:16.
Kyiv Capitals: Romi Huunonen; Vitalii Andreykiv – Eduards Hugo Jansons, Gatis Sprukts (c) – Kevins Stradnieks – Deivids Sarkanis; Pauls Svars – Harijs Brants, Illia Korenchuk – Maksims Saperins – Rustams Begovs; Ville Rautiala – Jani Siekkinen, Mykhailo Kovalchuk – Feliks Morozov – Renars Cipruss; Anton Romanyshyn – Denys Honcharenko, Danylo Tsarkovskyi – Lukas Zukauskas – Olegs Sislannikovs.
Head Coach: Oleg Tymchenko
HS Riga/Dinaburg: Janis Voris (Jegors Kirpickins, 40:00); Kristaps Kandis – Janis Paulins, Felikss Niks Paurs – Makss Olivers Mezins – Toms Pastars; Bruno Stepins – Mareks Stekels, Martins Gaidulis – Armands Apsitis – Ņikita Vengers; Antons Orlovs – Markuss Pastars (c), Roberts Zile – Imants Biters – Edgars Ablazevics; Ivans Zaicevs – Alekss Strelnieks, Jaroslavs Cirkins – Kristers Sirjajevs – Nikita Soskovecs.
Head Coach: Raimonds Vilkoits
Following the international break, our team will play its next match on November 14. The opponent remains the same – HS Riga/Dinaburga. The teams will square off for the fourth time this season, with this upcoming clash taking place in Daugavpils.
