February 28, 17:00, Liepaja, Liepaja Olympic Centre Ice Arena.
Today, Oleg Tymchenko’s team will face the side that currently has the best streak in the league – 11 consecutive wins. Edgars Brancis’ squad last tasted defeat on January 7 in an away game against Energija. This surge has lifted them to the top of the standings with 60 points.
For both opponents, this will be their fifth meeting in the championship, and the head-to-head record is currently 2:2. Notably, three of the four games went to overtime. Liepaja came out on top twice (5:4 and 3:2), while our team claimed one overtime victory (4:3). Meanwhile, the only game settled in regulation turned out to be one of the Capitals’ best performances of the season – a 6:2 triumph.
The top performers in head-to-head matchups are Liepaja forward Rinalds Vutkevics, who has collected five points (1+4), and our team captain, Martins Karsums, with six points (1+5). We should also highlight two more Kyiv Capitals forwards with five points each: Denys Honcharenko (3+2) and Rustams Begovs (2+3).
The season scoring leaders for the two teams are Karlis Ozolins of Liepaja with 52 points, while Kyiv continues to have co-leaders, Lauris Bajaruns and Martins Karsums, both with 43 points.
This matchup is crucial from a standings perspective. For Kyiv Capitals, it`s a chance to regain lost ground after the defeat to HS Riga. Meanwhile, Edgars Brancis` team will aim to extend its winning streak.
We’ll find out tonight who accomplishes their task.
