Jelgava, Latvia – HK Zemgale/LBTU has secured a direct spot in the semifinals of the Optibet Hockey League, bypassing the quarterfinal round after finishing second in the regular season. The team clinched their position with a 4-3 victory over Rīgas HS on Wednesday, March 11th, a result that finalized the league standings.
The team’s performance throughout the regular season was strong, amassing 60 points in 40 games. Zemgale/LBTU recorded 29 wins in regulation time, one win in overtime, and suffered four overtime losses and six regulation losses. This consistent play propelled them to the second-highest position in the league, guaranteeing their advancement.
The Optibet Hockey League’s playoff format dictates that the top six teams from the regular season qualify for the postseason. The top two teams – Zemgale/LBTU and HK Mogo/RSU – receive a bye directly to the semifinals. This is a significant advantage, allowing them to rest and prepare while other teams battle through the quarterfinal stage.
Zemgale/LBTU’s semifinal opponent will be the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between Liepājas hokeja skola and HC Panter. That series will be played to the best of three games, meaning the first team to win three games advances. The exact dates for the semifinal series are yet to be announced, but Zemgale/LBTU will have home-ice advantage, opening the series at the Jelgavas ledus hallē.
In the other semifinal pairing, regular season leader HK Mogo/RSU will face the winner of the HC Kyiv Capitals versus HK Prizma quarterfinal series, also played to a best-of-three format.
The quarterfinal round is scheduled to commence on March 13th. The league has not yet released the schedule for the semifinal games, but the anticipation is building in Jelgava as fans look forward to supporting their team in their pursuit of a championship. Both the semifinals and the final series will be played to the best of four games, meaning a team must win four games to claim the title.
This marks another successful season for Zemgale/LBTU, a club with a rich history in Latvian hockey. Founded in 2002, the team has evolved from a Virslīga (Latvian Higher League) team to a significant force in the Baltic region. A partnership with Latvia University of Agriculture (LLU) in 2013, rebranding the team as Zemgale/LLU, proved fruitful, culminating in a bronze medal in the same season. The club reached a new peak in 2022, securing its first Latvian championship title. The following season saw the team compete in the Mestis league in Finland.
Currently, the club operates both a Virslīga team and a robust youth hockey program, as well as a veterans team, demonstrating a commitment to developing talent at all levels. The team is led by head coach Artis Ābols, who took the helm in August 2020, and assistant coach Igors Ļebedevs, who joined the club before the 2018/2019 season. Ļebedevs brings a wealth of experience, including a Latvian championship title with HK Liepāja in 2015/2016.
The recent victory over Rīgas HS, captured in highlights available on YouTube, showcased the team’s ability to perform under pressure. A full replay of the game is also available on Sportacentrs.com. The official league standings and schedule can be found on the Latvian Hockey Federation website: LHF.lv.
For Zemgale/LBTU, the focus now shifts to preparing for the semifinals. The team will be looking to build on their regular season success and make a strong push for another championship title. Fans can stay updated on the team’s progress and schedule through the official club website: hkzemgale.lv.
The next confirmed action for HK Zemgale/LBTU is the start of the semifinal series, with the opponent to be determined by the outcome of the Liepājas hokeja skola vs. HC Panter quarterfinal series. Keep an eye on official league announcements for the confirmed dates and times.
What are your predictions for Zemgale/LBTU’s semifinal run? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
