The subgroup B match “Nokia Arena” in Tampere will start at 8.20 pm, broadcasting it live on Latvian Television Channel 7 (LTV7).
Captain Rodrigo Ābola’s assistant has not played in the previous two games due to Kuld’s injury, while Smonam, who is celebrating his 23rd birthday today, has all three games behind him. It is not yet clear whether Smona will play in Thursday’s match.
Forward Klav Weinberg was also officially entered for the championship on Thursday. The Latvian national team had one vacancy left for Teodor Bluger in the application, but he decided not to join the national team after the season in the National Hockey League (NHL).
In subgroup B, Sweden is the leader with 11 points in four games, followed by Finland with ten points in four matches. The United States and Norway have five points each in three and four battles. The Czech Republic scored four points in three dues, Latvia and Austria scored three points in three and four battles, while Great Britain scored in three matches.
At the start of the World Championship, the Latvians faced problems in the implementation of the litters and lost to the USA with 1: 4, then a controversial and unnecessary rejection cost Finland 1: 2, but on Monday Norway was beaten 3: 2 in a heavy fight. The Czech hockey players defeated Britain 5: 1 at the start of the championship, then lost 3: 5 to the current leader of the subgroup Sweden, but unexpectedly lost Austria 1: 2 in the series after the game.
The 2022 World Championships in Finland will run until May 29.
Composition of the Latvian men’s hockey team for the world championship:
Goalkeepers: Elvis Merzlikins (Columbus “Blue Jackets”, NHL), Gustav Davis Grigals (University of Alaska Fairbanks, NCAA), Arthur Shilov (Ebotsford “Canucks”, AHL);
Guards: Jānis Jaks (“Sochi”, KHL), Kārlis Čukste (“Ocelārži” in Tršinec, Czech Republic), Kristaps Sotnieks (Riga “Dinamo”, KHL), Roberts Mamčics (“Linkoping”, Sweden), Arvils Bergmanis (Fairbanks University of Alaska, NCAA);
Attackers: Mārtiņš Dzierkals (Škoda, Pilsen, Czech Republic), Richard Bucharest (Vladivostok Admiral, KHL), Robert Buchart (Ridera, Witkovice, Czech Republic), Andris Dzerins (Linz Black Hawks, Austria), Richard Maren MoDo, Sweden), Deniss Smirnov (Geneva Servette, Switzerland), Ronald King (Lausanne, Switzerland), Oscar Batni (Mikeli Jukurit, Finland), Renar Krastenberg (Villach VSV, Austria), Klav Weinberg (“Zemgale” / LLU, Latvia), Rodrigo Ābol (“Orebro”, Sweden), Nikolajs Jelisejevs (MoDo, Erntscheldsvik, Sweden), Rūdolfs Balcers (San Jose “Sharks”, KHL).
