Latvian Men’s Ice Hockey Team Falls to Norway in Last Test Match Before World Championship in Riga

Latvian men’s ice hockey team lost to Norway in extra time with a score of 0:1 (0:0, 0:0, 0:0, 0:1) in the last test match before the world championship in Riga .

The goal of the Latvian national team was defended by Elvis Merzlikins, who was recognized as the best player of the national team.

In the eighth minute of the game, the Latvians had the first chance to play mostly, but they didn’t use that, defending their own goal in the second half of the third period. The ratio of shots in the first 20 minutes was much better for the guests – 13:2.

In the second period, Latvian hockey players evened the course of the game, but did not score a goal yet. In one of the incidents, Miks Indrašis skated alone against the Norwegian goalkeeper, but the opponent with a stick prevented him from making a beneficial shot on goal.

At the start of the third period, Andreas Martinsen faced Kaspars Daugavins in the face, but the captain was able to return to the game.

Five minutes before the end of normal time, Harald Egle’s shot hit the post, but a little later Eirik Eström-Salsten stood out with a wide attack across the field and a dangerous shot, which Merzlikin stopped from getting the ball. first goal of the game.

In regular time, Latvian hockey players made 20 hits, and the Norwegians – two more.

In the first minute of overtime, after a mistake by Latvian hockey players, Stīans Sūlbergs skated alone against Merzlikin and beat the opposition.

In the previous games, Latvian ice hockey players beat Austria twice in the shootout at home with 3:2 and lost Finland twice with 2:3, but lost to Switzerland 1:5 and 0:4 away.

The Norwegians have celebrated three victories in six games in April. The visitors have shared points with Denmark (1:3, 3:2), but lost twice to Hungary (1:2, 2:3). Then the Danes were defeated 4:3 and 2:1 in extra time at home.

On Saturday, at 4 pm, the “Arena Riga” teams will meet again.

After the match with Switzerland, forwards Miks Indrašis, Raivis Ansons and Swedish champion Mārtiņš Dzierkals, former German player Kristers Gudļevskis, as well as defender Kārlis Čukste joined the Latvian national team , but forward Kristaps Skrastiņš and Tom Anderson goalkeeper Ivars Punnenovs is no longer in the national team.

It also became clear that due to injuries, the last of the Swiss Championship, Rudolfs Balcers and Ronalds Kēniņš, will not be able to help the national team this spring.

In the Latvian national team, head coach Harijs Vītoliņš is assisted by coaches Lauris Dārziņš, Artūrs Irbe, Petri Nummelins, Ville Peltonens, Raimonds Vilkoits, video coach Pēteris Groms and physical training specialist Āriks Visockis.

The Latvian national team will go to the world championship in the Czech Republic on May 9.

The 2024 tournament will be held in Prague and Ostrava from May 10 to 26.

List of candidates for the Latvian national team:

goalkeepers – Elvis Merzlikin (Columbus “Blue Jackets”, NHL), Erik Vitols (Keuru “KeuPa”, Finland), Kristers Gudlevsky (Bremerhafen “Fischtown Pinguins”, Germany);

defenders – Jānis Jaks, Kristaps Zīle (Litvīnovas “Verva”, Czech Republic), Roberts Mamčić (“Nove Zamky”, Slovakia), Arvils Bergmanis (University of Alaska Fairbanks, NCAA), Markus Komuls (Trois-Riviera “Lions” , Canada ), Roberts Kalkis (“Marseille”, France), Sandis Smons (“La Chaux-de-Fonds”, Switzerland), Ralfs Freiberg (“Mountfield” de Hradec Kralove), Oskars Cibulskis (“Blue Fox of Herning “, Denmark), Christopher Bindulis (Mihalovces “Dukla”, Slovakia), Kārlis Čukste (Jevles “Brynas”, Sweden);

Forwards – Oskars Batnia (Mikeli “Jukurit”, Finland), Roberts Bukarts (Vítkovice “Ridera”, Czech Republic), Filips Buncis (Vestervíkas IK, Sweden), Renars Krastenberg (Graz “99ers”, Austria) , Haralds Egle (Liptovski Mikuláš “MHK 32”, Slovakia), Rihards Marenis (Nibro Vikings, Sweden), Oskars Lapinskis (Langnavs Tigers, Switzerland), Martins Lavins (University of New Hampshire, NCAA), Felix Gavar (University St. Lawrence, NCAA), Dan Lochmelis (University of Massachusetts Emerst, NCAA), Andris Džeriņš (Herning Blue Fox, Denmark), Kaspars Daugavins (Mihalovce Dukla, Slovakia), Eduards Tralmaks (Kladno Rytīrži, Czech Republic), Raivis Ansons (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton), AHL), Miks Indrašis (Jēvles “Brynas”, Sweden), Mārtiņš Dzierkals (Šellefteo AIK, Sweden).