Oleg Tymchenko’s side has now won six consecutive games in the current Optibet League campaign.
For this game, our team’s head coach was unable to call upon Brants, so the six defencemen were divided into three pairs, while Romanyshyn took Harijs’ place on the second line. Meanwhile, Honcharenko returned to the roster.
Estonian goaltender Mölder was making his second appearance of the season against the representatives of Latvia’s capital. In the first meeting, he recorded a shutout, making an impressive debut in the Optibet League.
However, the game got off to a less-than-ideal start for Kyiv. The visitors were quick to capitalize on a power play following Sprukts’ penalty. Cipruss blocked Vengers’ shot, but the HS Riga/Dinaburg forward recovered the puck and sent it past Melder.
By the midway point of the first period, the visitors had doubled their lead. Biters and Zile broke away on a two-on-one against Andreykiv. Mölder stopped Imants’ shot, but Roberts was first to the rebound and put the puck into the net.
Oleg Tymchenko’s side responded emphatically. They needed less than three minutes not only to level the score but also to take the lead. Jansons fired from the blue line to convert Kyiv Capitals’ first power play of the game. Sislannikovs then finished Korenchuk’s cross-ice pass at the far post, before Sarkanis capped off an excellent spell for our team by scoring his tenth goal of the season.
The Ukrainian side added another goal in the second period, once again making the most of a power-play opportunity. Svars opened his account for the season with a well-placed shot from the right face-off circle.
Siekkinen extended Kyiv’s lead. Jani had registered his first point of the championship through a combination with Sprukts and Sarkanis, and this time he scored himself after receiving a cross-ice pass from Begovs.
However, the visitors reduced the deficit before the second intermission. Cirkins dispossessed Cipruss, and Mezins converted a breakaway against Mölder.
In the third period, Jansons put the result beyond doubt, completing his brace with another power-play goal. Special mention goes to former Kyiv Capitals goaltender Janis Voris, who made 50 saves for the Riga side.
The 6:3 victory marked Kyiv Capitals’ sixth consecutive win in the 2026/2027 Optibet League season and brought them to within one point of first place.
Kyiv Capitals (Ukraine) – HS Riga/Dinaburga (Latvia) 6:3 (3:2, 2:1, 1:0)
Goals: 0:1 – Vengers (Mezins, Apsitis, – power play), 03:41; 0:2 – Zile (Biters, Vengers), 08:31; 1:2 – Jansons (Sarkanis, – power play), 10:11; 2:2 – Sislannikovs (Korenchuk, Begovs), 11:30; 3:2 – Sarkanis (Sprukts, Siekkinnen), 12:58; 4:2 – Svars (Sislannikovs, Begovs, – power play), 25:51; 5:2 – Siekkinnen (Korenchuk, Begovs), 28:15; 5:3 – Mezins (Cirkins), 29:43; 6:3 – Jansons (Sarkanis, Korenchuk, – power play), 47:19.
Kyiv Capitals: Conrad Mölder; Vitalii Andreykiv – Edvards Hugo Jansons, Gatis Sprukts (c) – Kevins Stradnieks – Deivids Sarkanis; Anton Romanyshyn – Pauls Svars, Illia Korenchuk – Olegs Sislannikovs – Rustams Begovs; Ville Rautiala – Jani Siekkinnen, Mykhailo Kovalchuk – Feliks Morozov – Danylo Tsarkovskyi; Denys Honcharenko, Lukas Zukauskas – Renars Cipruss – Kristians Zelts.
Head coach: Oleg Tymchenko
HS Riga/Dinaburga: Janis Voris; Kristaps Kandis – Janis Paulins, Jaroslavs Cirkins – Felikss Niks Paurs – Maks Olivers Mezins; Maksims Sirokovs – Bruno Stepins, Martins Gaidulis – Armands Apsitis – Nikita Vengers; Antons Orlovs – Markuss Pastars (c), Roberts Zile – Imants Biters – Edgars Ablazevics; Mareks Stekels – Ivans Zaicevs, Alekss Strelnieks – Kristers Sirjajevs – Toms Pastars.
Head coach: Raimonds Vilkoits
The championship continues for our team on Saturday, when Kyiv Capitals travel to face Hockey Punks.
