Two games of the Estonian “Coolbet” hockey league in our field against the table
fifth team from Tallin – HC “Vipers” was led by HK “Kurbads”,
acknowledging the superiority of the guests, but took a win a day later.
The two teams met for the first time this season in
November, “Kurbads” was superior with 5: 2. In this game
Mārtiņš Vītoliņš scored two goals.
On Saturday, the security of the guest goal was entrusted to Belarusian Janam Šelepnijovam
but Arginto Milbergs took place at the Kurbads goal,
this was not a very successful game for him. Although the hosts in the first third revealed the result of the game (Marcis Zembergs), but in the second period within seven minutes, Viper scored three unanswered goals and scored 3: 1.
In-games 28 minute coach decided it was time to replace Arginto with Uldis Čalpa.
Before the end of the second period “Kurbads”
Mārtiņš Vītoliņš reduced the difference in the result. Crucial
events took place in the third period. After a 30-second break,
the owners of the field removed the goalkeeper at the end of the period, sending to the field
a sixth player. Going “to the whole bank” was justified and one second
before the end of the third, Matīss Bīriņš reached 3: 3. In the extension,
the winner could not be determined, but in the shootout,
Viper players celebrated the victory with 4: 3.
A day later, “Kurbads” revived with the result 5: 1.
“Kurbads” provided an opportunity for Uldis Čalps since first minutes, “Vipers” – to the Russian goalkeeper Mikhail Pegashov.
In the first period after Emil Masteiko and Rihards Kovalevskis scored
the goal “Kurbads” reached 2: 0, but in the second third in a short time, first
“Vipers” reduced the difference, but Juris Bērziņš restored two
goal advantage – 3: 1.
The home team did not stop and in the last cut of the match again Masteiko, and Emīls Ločmelis increased the advantage
allowing Kurbads hockey players to win.
“We had a lot of moments at the beginning of the first game, but we couldn’t win. In the second period after three serious mistakes, we ended up losing.
The opponent gained confidence and continued the game from the defense. After We woke up to change goalkeepers, we scored, but in several situations,
the guests were rescued not only by their goalkeeper but also by the goal post.
In the second game, we were joined by U-18
national hockey players Rihards Kovalevskis and Dāvids Livšics, who on Saturday
were in a match in the national team, but the experienced Renārs Undelis and Jānis Puriņš could not help.
Čalpa repeatedly saved the team from dangerous episodes and we managed to succeed. Thanks, guys for the fight in both games.”
In the tournament table, the leaders with 29 points in 17 games are Tartu “Välk 494”, but
“Kurbads” with 23 points in 15 matches takes second place.
The next games “Kurbads” will take place on February 19 and 20.
