Latvia’s Under-20 hockey team rattles Americans in thrilling battle

The Latvian U-20 hockey team in the top division of the world championship on Monday, December 26, in the first game in Moncton, Canada, came back twice, but finally lost against the strong USA team 2:5 (0:00 ). 0, 2:2, 0:3).

In the entire game, the Americans had 46 shots on goal manned by Latvian national team goalkeeper Patrikas Bērziņš, but the Latvian team only took 17 shots in the match.

The Latvian national team will play its second match against Switzerland already on Tuesday evening Latvian time. The Swiss made a surprise in the first game and beat Finland, runners-up of the tournament held in August, 3:2 after extra time.

In the first half, the team led by Art Abolas didn’t allow the Americans, one of the favorites of the tournament, to express themselves and impose their own style of play. The Latvian national team not only repelled their opponents’ attacks with excellent discipline, they came close to scoring a couple of times.

The Latvian national team had a very unsuccessful start to the second period, which turned out to be successful. Already in 24 seconds, Jimi Snagerud was more skilled in the hustle near goal, beating goalkeeper Patrik Berzyn. After four minutes, Latvia managed a great counterattack and Anri Ravinskis made it 1:1 after playing with Rainer Ruller. In the middle of the half, Shawn Behren beat Berzin with a shot from the blue line, returning the Americans to the lead, but in the 35th minute the puck entered the American goal after Nik Fenenko’s wrist shot – 2:2.

Latvian hockey players made only four shots in the second period, and the first two shots in this period were accurate. In the second period, the Americans had 19 shots on Bērziņš’s goal.

Unfortunately, in the third period, the US national team “put everything on the shelves”. In the second minute, the Latvian hockey players made a mistake in the middle zone, which was used perfectly by the US national team: on the counterattack, Čaz Lusius beat Bērziņš with a shot from the awkward side of the stick. For the third time in the game, the young Latvians failed to fight back and had to settle for a defeat. In the seventh minute of the period, Red Savage was first on the puck and saved to make it 4-2. Team captain Luke Hughes added a point to the American victory with an accurate wrist shot.

The World Under 20 Elite Championship will take place from December 26 to January 5 in the Canadian cities of Halifax and Moncton.

Coaches help ArtimĀbol in the national team Charles ZirnisArtūrs Āboliņš, goalkeeping coach Edgars Masalskisvideo trainer Pēteris Groms and physical training trainer Mārtiņš Klucis.

The captain of the Latvian national team at the world championship is Gustavs Ozoliņš, and the assistants – Martins Lavans and Darrel Ducur. Dāvis Borozinskis was deducted from selection as last. The Latvian national team has 25 players – 20 outfield players and three goalkeepers can apply for the tournament, but two more hockey players – Elvis Laškovs and Kristiāns Sāmītis – can be in the reserve.

The composition of the Latvian U-20 national hockey team at the junior world championship:

Goalkeepers: Patriks Bērzins (Danbury “Hat Tricks”, NAHL), Linards Lipskis (Bismark “Bobcats”, NAHL), Kārlis Mežsargs (Kārni “Tri-City Storm”, USHL);

Defenders: No Feņenko (Bekomo “Drakkar”, QMJHL), Bogdan Hodas (Medicinheta “Tigers”, WHL), Rihard Simanovic (Amarilo “Wranglers”, NAHL), Dario Mackiewicz (“Mogo”/LSPA), Elvis Laškov (Ferlach NHA, Austria), Edgars Kazaks, Silvestrs Lazarenoks (both – “Zemgale”/LLU), Gustavs Ozoliņš (Minnesota “Wilderness”, NAHL);

Forwards: Rogers Bukarts (Zurich “Lions”, Switzerland), Emīls Veckaktiņš, Roberts Cjunskis (both – “Lugano”, Switzerland), Martins Laviņš (Cedar Rapids “RoughRiders”, USHL), Kristians Samītis (Philadelphia “Rebels”, NAHL) , Darels Dukurs (Langnavas “Tigers”, Switzerland), Rainers Dārziņš (Šlefteo AIK, Sweden), Īrts Silkalns (Fargo “Force”, USHL), Rainers Rullers, Pēteris Purmalis (both – “Zemgale”/LLU), Dan Lochmelis (“Luleo”, Sweden), Sandis Vilmanis (Sarnijas “Sting”, OHL), Clave Weinberg (Lincoln Stars, USHL), Henri Ravinsky (Armanda of Blainville/Boisbriand, QMJHL).