Mogo/RSU secured a 3–1 victory over Zemgale/LBTU (Jelgava) on Tuesday in the opening game of the Optibet Hockey League (OHL) finals at Mogo Arena, taking a 1–0 lead in the series. Goals for Mogo/RSU were scored by Niks Feņenko, Kristers Ansons, and Elvis Želubovskis.
In the first game of the final series, Kārlis Mežsargs returned to the net for Mogo/RSU, while Aksels Ozols started in goal for Zemgale/LBTU. Haralds Jirgens was the first to test Mežsargs with a shot from the middle of the zone. In the fourth minute, two home players were left without sticks, allowing Jelgava to control play as if on a power play. Patriks Zabusovs fired two strong shots, but Mežsargs handled both.
In the eighth minute, Rolands Vasiļjevs tripped Daniels Goršanovs, putting the home team shorthanded. The visitors needed just 22 seconds to capitalize. Gatis Gricinskis drove in from the left side, switched the puck to his backhand, and scored past the far post. Late in the period, Zemgale forward Rauls Ozollapa prevented Gints Meija from scoring into an open corner. Moments later, Deivids Sarkanis shot from the middle; the puck deflected off Meija’s leg to Feņenko, who beat Ozols from close range to tie the game.
Early in the second period, Gricinskis and Gustavs Millers tested the home goal, while at the other end Sarkanis fired a shot and Elvis Želubovskis nearly broke free, aiming for the far corner, but Ozols managed to get a glove on the puck. Both teams had power-play opportunities, but neither managed to score.
At the start of the third period, Ozols stopped a shot by Meija, while Mežsargs denied attempts from Zabusovs and Jonas Parviainen. Feņenko and Sarkanis also had chances, but Ozols stood firm. In the 54th minute, Ernests Krūms tripped Atte Rajala, putting Mogo/RSU shorthanded. However, the visitors soon took a penalty as well, evening the numbers.
After Krūms returned to the ice, Mogo/RSU converted their advantage to take the lead. Kristers Ansons waited for Meija to screen Ozols and scored with a precise shot past the right post. Zemgale/LBTU pulled Ozols for an extra skater, but following a pass from Jānis Zemītis, Želubovskis sealed the game with an empty-net goal.
Mogo/RSU won 3–1 and lead the series 1–0.
The second game of the series will take place on Friday, April 10 at 19:15 at Mogo Arena.
Source: mogohalle.lv
(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.
