Latvia’s U-20 hockey team makes the Americans nervous in an exciting battle

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

In the entire match, the Americans made 46 shots on the goal guarded by the goalkeeper of the Latvian national team Patrikas Bērziņš, but the Latvian team made only 17 shots in the match.

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

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

The Latvian national team had a very unsuccessful start to the second period, which later turned out to be successful. Already in 24 seconds, Jimi Snagerud was more skillful in the hustle and bustle near the goal, beating the goalkeeper Patrik Berzyn. After four minutes, Latvia succeeded in an excellent counterattack and Anri Ravinskis made it 1:1 after playing with Rainer Ruller. In the middle of the period, Shawn Behren beat Berzin with a shot from the blue line, restoring the lead for the Americans, but in the 35th minute of the game, the puck found its way into 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 made 19 shots on Bērziņš’s goal.

Unfortunately, in the third period, the USA 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 USA national team – in the counterattack, Čazs Lusius beat Bērziņš with a shot from the awkward side of the stick. For the third time in the game, Latvian juniors failed to fight back and had to settle for a loss. In the seventh minute of the period, Red Savage was the first at the saved puck and made it 4-2. Team captain Luke Hughes added a point to the American victory with an accurate wrist shot.

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

Artis Ābolas is assisted by coaches Kārlis Zirnis, Artūrs Āboliņš, goalkeeper coach Edgars Masalskis, video coach Pēteris Groms and physical training coach Mārtiņš Klucis.

The captain of the Latvian national team at the world championship is Gustavs Ozoliņš, and the assistants are Martins Laviņš and Darel Dukurs. Dāvis Borozinskis was deducted from the selection as the last one. The Latvian national team has 25 players – 20 field 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 world junior championship:

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

Defensemen: Nik Fenenko (Bekomo “Drakkar”, QMJHL), Bogdan Hodas (Medisinheta “Tigers”, WHL), Rihard Simanovic (Amarillo “Wranglers”, NAHL), Dario Mackiewicz (“Mogo”/LSPA), Elvis Laškov (Ferlaha 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), Ćirts Silkalns (Fargo “Force”, USHL), Rainers Rullers, Pēteris Purmalis (both – “Zemgale”/LLU), Dans Lochmelis (” Luleå, Sweden), Sandis Vilmanis (Sarnia Sting, OHL), Klaavs Weinberg (Lincoln Stars, USHL), Henri Ravinskis (Armanda of Blainville/Boisbriand, QMJHL).