Cēsis, Latvia – The Cēsis “Lekrings” have evened their best-of-seven ELVI Latvian Floorball League playoff series against Kocēni “Rubene” at 2-2, securing an 8-4 victory on home ice Friday night. The win breathes modern life into the series after Rubene had taken an early lead, demonstrating the competitive balance within the Latvian top flight.
The game at the Cēsis Sports Complex began with a strong start from the visitors. Kocēni drew first blood, with Mikus Edvards Ķikuts and Ingars Matisons finding the back of the net to supply Rubene a 2-1 lead after the first period. Roberts Zande scored the lone goal for Lekrings in the opening frame.
However, the second period witnessed a dramatic shift in momentum. Lekrings exploded for five unanswered goals, completely turning the tide of the match. Emīls Šūmanis, Artūrs Jurševskis, Roberts Zande (again), Toms Rīsmanis, and Olafs Zvīnis all contributed to the offensive surge, establishing a commanding 6-2 lead.
Rubene struggled to recover from the onslaught. While they managed to add two more goals in the final period, Lekrings maintained control and added two of their own, ultimately sealing the 8-4 victory. The series is now tied, setting the stage for a crucial fifth game.
Roberts Zande led the charge for Lekrings with two goals, while Toms Rīsmanis, Olafs Zvīnis, Edgars Puriņš, Emīls Šūmanis, and Artūrs Jurševskis each added a goal. For Rubene, Pāvels Semjonovs was the primary playmaker with two assists, while Ingars Matisons, Mikus Edvards Ķikuts, Kārlis Dūmiņš, and Kristers Babris each scored a goal.
The shot count reflected Lekrings’ dominance, with the home side registering 34 shots on goal compared to Rubene’s 27. The period-by-period breakdown was 11-9, 14-8, and 9-10, illustrating the shift in control after the first period.
This victory comes after a challenging start to the series for Lekrings, who lost the first two games in Kocēni. They managed to avoid falling into a 3-0 series deficit by winning the third game in a shootout after a video review overturned a late goal against them. This latest win demonstrates their resilience and ability to perform on their home floor.
The ELVI Floorball League playoffs are known for their intensity, and this series is proving to be no exception. Both teams have demonstrated their offensive capabilities, and the defensive battles have been equally compelling. The ability to capitalize on power play opportunities and maintain composure under pressure will be crucial as the series progresses.
For fans following the league, the series between Lekrings and Rubene represents a clash between two of Latvia’s top floorball programs. Lekrings had a difficult quarterfinal series, needing all seven games to defeat Ķekava/RB&B, while Rubene dispatched FBK SĀC in four games. This difference in the path to the semifinals may have contributed to Lekrings’ initial struggles in the series, but they have clearly found their rhythm at home.
The next game in the series will be played in Kocēni, where Rubene will seem to regain the lead. The pressure will be on the home team to deliver a strong performance and capitalize on their home-field advantage. The outcome of this game will be pivotal in determining which team advances to the league finals.
“Lekrings” – “Rubene” – 8:4 (1:2, 5:0, 2:2), sērijā 2:2
Metienu attiecība:
34:27 (11:9. 14:8; 9:10)
Rezultatīvākie:
“Lekrings” – Roberts Zande 2 (2+0), Toms Rīsmanis 2 (1+1), Olafs Zvīnis 2 (1+1), Edgars Puriņš 1 (1+0), Emīls Šūmanis 1 (1+0), Artūrs Jurševskis 1 (1+0), Bruno Beķeris 1 (1+0), Rūdolfs Dāvis Maklers 1 (0+1), Jorens Malkavs 1 (0+1), Krišs Treimanis 1 (0+1), Jēkabs Berkolts 1 (0+1), Renārs Kovaļovs 1 (0+1).
“Rubene” – Pāvels Semjonovs 2 (0+2), Ingars Matisons 1 (1+0), Mikus Edvards Ķikuts 1 (1+0), Kārlis Dūmiņš 1 (1+0), Kristers Babris 1 (1+0), Toms Pētersons 1 (0+1), Rihards Avots 1 (0+1).
The series will continue with Game 5 in Kocēni. Stay tuned to Archysport for further updates and analysis as the ELVI Floorball League playoffs unfold.
