Six Latvian clubs have confirmed their participation in the OHL championship of the new season – “Prizma”, “Rīga”, “Zemgale”/LLU, “DLSS/Dinaburga”, “Mogo”/LSPA and “Dinamo Rīga”. On the other hand, three teams from Lithuania will play – “Kaunas City”, “Energija” and “Hockey Punks” from Vilnius.
“We are pleased to expand the territories of the OHL league and increase the total number of teams. The participation of Lithuanian teams will certainly help further popularize and develop hockey in the Baltic region,” says Aigars Kalvītis, president of the Latvian Hockey Federation (LHF). “On behalf of the Latvian Hockey Federation, I wish all the teams a successful preparation for the season and an exciting championship.”
“I am sure that the joint hockey league of Lithuania and Latvia will further increase the interest in this sport in both countries and raise the overall level of hockey,” added the president of the Lithuanian Hockey Association (AHL) Daiņius Zubrus. “This is a great opportunity for our teams to participate in a higher-level championship, so that hockey fans can see many exciting battles with their neighbors. On behalf of the “Hockey Lithuania” association, I wish good luck to all athletes and teams.”
The winner of the OHL playoffs will be crowned the Baltic champion. Meanwhile, the units that occupy the highest positions from Latvia and Lithuania will be recognized as the champions of their countries.
In the next OHL season championship, the teams will play a four-round tournament. Therefore, a total of 144 games will be played.
Eight teams will advance to the OHL playoffs. The quarter-finals will be played until two wins, while the semi-finals and the battle for the OHL’s main trophy will be played until four wins.
2022/2023 2018 OHL regular championship will start on September 3.
