In Friday’s duo of the B-group of the World Championships in Riga, the Norwegian hockey players defeated the home team of Latvians 4: 3 after separate raids. In the sixth series, Michael Haga decided their triumph.
The Northerners are still in 7th place in the five-point table, but they are only losing three points in the fourth Latvian. Slovakia was represented in the match in the person of the main referee Petr Stan, who was helped on the line by his compatriot Šimon Synek.
The Latvians will play another duel on Sunday at 7.15 pm CET, when they will play against the reigning Finnish champions. The Norwegians will meet the USA at 15.15 the day before.
Ice Hockey World Championship 2021 – Group B:
Latvia – Norway 3: 4 pp and sn (2: 1, 0: 1, 1: 1 – 0: 0, 0: 1)
Norway: Haukeland – Holös, Lilleberg, Espeland, Lesund, Krogdahl, Kaasastul, Holm – Pettersen, KA Olimb, Rosseli Olsen – Olden, Trettenes, Lindström – Salsten, M. Olimb, Haga – Röymark, Brekke Henriksen, Solem
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The match did not have a dizzying pace, rather it was a positional game from both sides. The Norwegians took the lead in the 4th minute after Olden’s happy ending, but the Latvians still turned the score around in the first period thanks to Krastenbergs and Kenins’ individual action. The home players looked a little livelier, in addition to two accurate hits, they also worked out other promising chances, especially the Djerinsha raid called for a goal.
The Norwegians had less puck on the sticks and did not shoot as often, but were still ready to take advantage of the opponent’s laxity. At the beginning of the second act, he punished the hesitation of the Latvians on the attacking blue KA Olimb, who escaped in his own weakness and equalized with a great shot into the upper left corner.
The “Vikings” also had other promising renumbering, but they were looking for a better-placed teammate with a pass instead of a direct shot. However, they continued to wait patiently for their opportunities. In the 42nd minute, the shot from the first Pettersen, who ideally charged Rosseli Olsen – 2: 3, perfectly landed in the intermediate ring. The Latvians did not give up and were settled after Rubins surprised Haukeland from an angle.
In the end, it was expected that the team would make a decisive mistake. The home team withstood three weaknesses in a row, then in the overtime they did not use the power play 4 to 3 and so they came up with a series of raids. In them, Darzins scored for the Latvians, while both Olden and Haga scored for the Norwegians
Votes after the match (IIHF):
Bob Hartley, coach of Latvia: “In our situation, we needed to win in good time. We are still alive, but of course, we will need help from others. Plus, we’ll have to win our remaining matches in the group. “
Erlend Lesund, defender of Norway: “It’s still up to us. We need to get some points in the next matches. We would like to keep the game of progress. We are pleased with our situation and are ready to fight for further victories. ”
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