HK Zemgale/LBTU secured a hard-fought 4–3 victory over HC Kyiv Capitals on October 28 in the Optibet Hockey League (OHL), sealing the win with a late third-period power-play goal after surrendering a two-goal lead, reported. Mārtiņš Antons broke a 3–3 tie with 59:12 remaining in regulation, lifting the Jelgava club to its fifth win in nine games.
Kyiv Outshoots Zemgale Early Before Upenieks Strikes
The visiting Kyiv side controlled the opening twenty minutes, holding a 10–8 advantage in shots on goal. Despite the territorial pressure, Zemgale struck first. Five minutes before the first intermission, Kyiv goaltender Konrāds Molders stopped a breakaway with a sliding trip that drew a two-minute minor penalty rather than a penalty shot. Zemgale failed to capitalize on that power play, but Henrijs Ģirts Upenieks broke the deadlock shortly after at 18:38, converting a feed from Patriks Seilis to make it 1–0.
Strādnieks And Streikišs Trade Second-Period Goals
Capitals forward Kevins Strādnieks leveled the score at 1–1 just 5 minutes and 51 seconds into the middle frame, burying a rebound past goaltender Aksels Ozols while positioned near the crease. The score marked Strādnieks’ ninth goal and 21st point of the OHL season. Zemgale answered while playing shorthanded at 29:19. Markuss Streikišs stripped a Kyiv defender of the puck, skated in alone on Molders, and beat the goaltender to restore a 2–1 lead. Gatis Gricinskis extended the advantage to 3–1 at 34:02, capitalizing on a power-play opportunity with an assist from Kristaps Roķis.
Jansons Sparks Capitals Comeback Before Antons Wins It
Kyiv erased the two-goal deficit within the opening six minutes of the final period. Eduards Hugo Jansons scored twice in a five-minute span—finding the net at 40:18 with assists from Miks Toms Sarkanis and Kevins Strādnieks, and again unassisted at 45:44—to tie the match at 3–3. The visitors ultimately undermined their comeback in the closing moments when Kristaps Roķis received a two-minute minor penalty. Zemgale capitalized immediately on the man advantage, as Mārtiņš Antons scored off assists from Roberts Bajaruns and Kristaps Roķis at 59:12 to finalize the 4–3 scoreline.
Standings Impact Across The OHL
The regulation loss drops the Kyiv Capitals into second place in the OHL standings with 20 points through 13 games, boasting 10 wins. HK Mogo/RSU currently leads the league table with 21 points from 11 matches. Meanwhile, HK Zemgale/LBTU sits fourth in the standings with 14 points, recording five wins, two overtime wins, two regulation losses, and zero overtime losses across their opening nine fixtures of the season.
Match Summary And Upcoming OHL Fixtures
Both teams combined for 18 penalty minutes, with Zemgale taking 8 minutes and Kyiv serving 10. The OHL schedule continues on October 30 as HK Energija hosts HK Liepāja, followed by an October 31 slate featuring Kyiv Capitals against Rīgas HS, Energija facing Liepāja, and HC Hockey Punks meeting HC Panter.
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