Vadym Shakhraichuk’s team was unable to end their losing streak against Oleg Shafarenko’s team.
Kyiv Capitals (Кyiv) – Sokil (Кyiv) – 2:3 (1:1; 1:1; 0:1)
Pucks: 1:0 – Chernenko (Berdniks, Kutsevych, power play), 02:38; 1:1 – Zakharov (Babynets, Blahyi, power play), 06:55; 1:2 – Borodai (Sliusar, Razumov), 29:19; 2:2 – Kryvonozhkin (Berdniks, Taran), 39:11; 2:3 – Cherdak (Borodai, short-handed), 53:18
Kyiv Capitals: Boris Babik; Kostiantyn Riabenko – Eetu Moksunen, Vladyslav Kutsevych – Serhii Chernenko (c) – Yaroslav Panchenko; Tymur Lapko – Deniss Berdniks, Andrii Kryvonozhkin – Yevhen Sekirko – Mykyta Oliynyk; Pavlo Taran – Danylo Babchuk, Danylo Tyshchenko – Mykola Dvornyk – Vladyslav Luhovyi; Oleksandr Dreval – Valentyn Sirchenko, Denys Plesovskykh – Yehor Bezuhlyi – Oleksandr Koida
Head coach: Vadym Shakhraichuk
Sokil: Oleg Petrov; Vsevolod Tolstushko – Oleksandr Filimonov, Maksym Razumov – Ruslan Romashchenko – Volodymyr Cherdak; Artem Bondariev – Mykyta Polonytskyi, Roman Blahyi (c) – Viktor Zakharov – Serhii Babynets; Pavlo Dvoretskyi – Volodymyr Aleksiuk, Ihor Sliusar – Vasyl-Yurii Kachan – Denys Borodai; Danyl Rymar – Denys Haiduk, Yevhenii Govorushko – Illia Sobchenko – Maksym Zherebko
Head coach: Oleg Shafarenko
Before the derby, the hosts received encouraging news with Pavlo Taran’s return, expected to significantly bolster the team’s defensive capabilities. Both opponents had rather good lineups which wasn`t usual practice for such derbies. Additionally, a large number of fans flocked to the stands of the Palace of Sports, providing a welcomed boost for Capitals.
On the ice, Vadym Shakhraichuk’s team swiftly took the lead by capitalizing on their first power play opportunity. Berdniks unleashed a shot from a distance, with Chernenko showcasing brilliant awareness to finish amidst a players crowd.
In response, Oleg Shafarenko’s squad equalized by exploiting their numerical advantage on the ice. Blahyi, Babynets, and Zakharov executed a seamless play, culminating in Viktor’s successful shot to level the score.
Sokil had two additional opportunities to capitalize on the majority and made good use of those four minutes. Despite Babik’s solid performance, the score remained unchanged.
Capitals came out strong in the second period, launching a relentless attack on the opponents’ goal. Petrov also made some impressive saves to keep the game tight.
Midway through the period, Sokil broke the deadlock with a goal assisted by Borodai, who capitalized on Sliusar’s pass and outmaneuvered Moksunen and Babik to find the back of the net.
Just 49 seconds before the second break, Vadym Shakhraichuk’s team managed to equalize the score, with Kryvonozhkin netting his 27th goal of the season after a setup from Berdniks.
The turning point of the game came in the 54th minute when the home team had a power play opportunity but failed to convert it, allowing their opponents to score. Borodai had a good opportunity, but Babik made save. Unfortunately for Capitals Cherdak sealed the deal with the finish.
With just 44 seconds remaining in regular time, Capitals were given a power play opportunity due to Sliusar’s ejection. They capitalized on this advantage even further by pulling Babik from the game. Despite their efforts, they were unable to score against the opponent, leading to their fifth defeat of the season against Oleg Shafarenko’s team.
It’s worth mentioning that the semi-final playoff series between Sokil and Capitals is set to start on March 1st. In the other matchup, Kremenchuk will be taking on Dnipro.
