Ihor Arkhypenko’s team, with a very small roster, lost to the reigning champion.

Kryzhynka (Kyiv) – Sokil (Kyiv) – 0:7 (0:1; 0:3; 0:3)
Pucks: 0:1 – Tolstushko, 07:29; 0:2 – Cherdak (Kalsin, Horlushko), 21:26; 0:3 – Mazur (Cherdak), 28:52; 0:4 – Zakharov (Borodai, Kachan), 33:05; 0:5 – Zakharov (Tolstushko, Borodai), 42:12; 0:6 – Cherdak (Taran), 44:16; 0:7 – Kalsin (Mazur, Cherdak), 52:54

Kryzhynka: Danylo Makarenko; Yaroslav Filippov – Ostap Ostashevskyi (c), Ihor Honcharov – Viktor Chaika – Ihor Shevchenko; Andrii Baibarza – Ihor Fedorenko, Oleksandr Dreval – Illia Merzliak – Yehor Zelenskyi; Mykhailo Olkhovenko – Roman Diachenko
Head coach: Ihor Arkhypenko

Sokil: Bohdan Diachenko (Mykhailo Shapoval, 30:48); Vsevolod Tolstushko – Danyl Rymar, Vasyl-Yurii Kachan – Viktor Zakharov – Denys Borodai; Mykyta Polonytskyi – Oleksandr Horlushko, Maksym Zherebko – Denys Zherebko – Matvii Burdakov; Dmytro Savchuk – Pavlo Taran, Volodymyr Cherdak – Vadym Mazur (c) – Artem Kalsin; Volodymyr Kostromitin
Head coach: Oleg Shafarenko

Both teams came into this match with far from optimal line-ups. Firstly, it’s worth noting the absences in our team, which was forced to rely on just 14 hockey players today. Notably, three key players from the starting five, Shvachka, Cheremnov, and Buniak, were unavailable for various reasons. Additionally, Artem Arkhypenko and Katrusha were also absent from the squad. Head coach Ihor Arkhypenko was sidelined due to illness, with Oleksandr Sukhenko taking charge in his absence.

On the other side, Oleg Shafarenko’s team saw Petrov, Romashchenko, and Savytskyi, who have been recovering for an extended period, joined by Sobchenko, Filimonov, and Dvoretskyi. The only positive change for them was the return of Cherdak.

In the first period, the defense of Kryzhynka and Makarenko did their best, but unfortunately, one puck found its way past our goalkeeper. This occurred following a long-range shot by Tolstushko, who scored for the second consecutive match.

Sokil extended their lead to 2:0 at the beginning of the next 20 minutes, with Cherdak efforts. Ihor Arkhypenko’s team had a strong period, playing with a numerical advantage, but were unable to score against Diachenko.

Throughout the match, Oleg Shafarenko’s players received two more penalties, while Kryzhynka played with only one penalty, but attack in these periods was passive.

Before the second break, Sokil netted two more goals. Mazur showcased his skills with a stylish goal and assisted Zakharov for the second consecutive match after his return. The visiting team didn’t relent in the third period, with Zakharov and Cherdak pucks, joined by Kalsin in the group of top scorers.

Ultimately, Kryzhynka suffered the sixth defeat in the championship, while their opponents secured their third consecutive victory, climbing to second place in the standings. Ihor Arkhypenko’s team will face Kremenchuk on Thursday, while Oleg Shafarenko’s squad will host Dnipro a day earlier.