Mogo/RSU claimed their fifth championship title on Thursday, defeating Zemgale/LBTU 2–1 in Game 5 of the Optibet Hockey League finals at Mogo Arena. With the victory, Mogo/RSU won the series 4–1. Goals for the champions were scored by Ingus Ločmelis and Niks Feņenko.
Mogo/RSU president Māris Martinsons praised the team’s achievement: “This has probably been the best season in Mogo/RSU’s 12-year history. Winning a third consecutive title and a fifth overall speaks for itself. In January, the team performed very well in the IIHF Continental Cup finals against strong opponents. There was a slight dip afterwards, but at the crucial moment we secured first place in the regular season and once again defeated Zemgale/LBTU in the finals. Ģirts Ankipāns and the entire coaching staff have done an incredible job this season. In a year when Liepāja returned to the league and a strong Kyiv team joined, Mogo/RSU still lifted the trophy again. Thanks to the coaches, players, and everyone in the organisation.”
As expected, Kārlis Mežsargs started in goal for Mogo/RSU, while Zemgale/LBTU relied on Aksels Ozols. Early in the game, Gints Meija created one of the first dangerous chances for the home side, while Markuss Streikišs tested Mežsargs at the other end. Midway through the opening period, Feņenko set up Meija in front of the net, but Jonass Parviainens disrupted the attempt. Zemgale responded with strong shots from Kristaps Roķis and Artūrs Karaša, all handled confidently by Mežsargs.
The breakthrough came in the 13th minute. Deivids Sarkanis fed the puck to the blue line, where Ingus Ločmelis fired a long-range shot that found the net to make it 1–0. After conceding, Zemgale increased the pressure with attempts from Harijs Brants, Mārtiņš Vītols and Rauls Ozollapa, but Mežsargs remained solid.
Early in the second period, Elvis Želubovskis tested Ozols with a strong shot that struck his left shoulder. A penalty against Reinis Lejnieks gave Zemgale a power play, during which Patriks Zabusovs and Gatis Gricinskis both came close, but Mežsargs denied them again. Even at even strength, Streikišs and Ate Rajala had chances but failed to beat the Mogo/RSU goaltender.
Late in the period, Zemgale equalised. With 34 seconds remaining before the intermission, Patriks Seilis fired from the blue line, and with traffic in front of the net from Želubovskis and Gricinskis, the puck found its way past Mežsargs to make it 1–1.
The third period was tightly contested. Zemgale came close early, trying to force the puck over the line in a scramble, but without success. Both teams exchanged chances, including a strong opportunity for Zabusovs alone in front, but Mežsargs once again came out on top.
Just as the game seemed destined for overtime, Niks Feņenko delivered a moment of brilliance. With only three seconds remaining in regulation time, he drove in from the left corner, waited for Ozols to commit, and despite pressure from Kristaps Roķis, slid the puck into the net.
Mogo/RSU secured a dramatic 2–1 win, clinching the series 4–1 and lifting the championship trophy for the third consecutive year and fifth time in club history.
Feņenko, who scored the game-winning goal, was also named the MVP of the finals.
(Translated using artificial intellect tool)
About Mogo/RSU
Founded in 2014, Mogo/RSU has become one of the strongest and most decorated hockey clubs in Latvia. The team won the Latvian championship in its very first season and repeated the achievement in 2019, 2024, and 2025. From 2016 to 2017, Mogo/LSPA claimed the Latvian Cup three years in a row, defeating HK Kurbads in each final. The founder and president of Mogo/RSU is Māris Martinsons, who is also a board member of the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation. The team’s head coach is former Latvian national team player Ģirts Ankipāns. Mogo/RSU’s general manager since the club’s first day is Elviss Želubovskis, who continues to represent the team on the ice as well.
