Latvia won 3:2 (0:1, 1:0, 1:1, 0:0, 1:0).
In the 16th minute, Leons Wallner put Austria in the lead with an accurate shot, but Latvia equalized in the second period.
In the 26th minute, after the passes of Ralf Daniel Bergmanis and Kristaps Skrastiņš, Féliks Egils Gavars stood out with an accurate shot in his first game in the adult national team, sending the puck into the upper corner of the goal from the left throw circle – 1:0.
In the 43rd minute, Julian Metzler threw the puck towards the goal from the blue line, it changed its flight direction after contact and landed in the upper left corner of the goal – 2:1 in favor of Austria.
In the 46th minute, Latvia made it 2:2. After throwing the puck into the opponent’s area, Rihards Melnalksnis passed behind the goal to Jānis Vizbeli, who with a cunning move got rid of the defender and passed to Dan Lochmelis in front of the goal, who sent the puck into the upper right corner of the goal.
In overtime, Arvil Bergman and Ločmel had good chances to score, but no goal was scored.
Roberts Bukarts scored a goal in the post-game shots, throwing the goal into the upper left corner from the awkward side, while Lochmelis did the same, throwing the puck into the right corner of the goal.
Emilio Romig stood out among the opponents with an accurate shot.
Ivars Punnenovs saved 25 shots in the goal of the Latvian national team, while visiting goalkeeper Dāvids Madlēners managed 27 shots.
On Friday, the opponents will meet again in the Daugava Stadium ice hall.
“I think that from the second third we dominated, we dominated all duels and puck control. The quality of the passes and the last pass or the last throw did not give up,” said the head coach of the Latvian national team, Harijs Vītoliņš.
“I think the audience should have liked such a fast and energetic game.”
“We slept a little at the beginning of the game. We were not prepared that the Austrians would start so actively, but we liked the game from the second third.
We created sharp counterattacks and there were a lot of scoring opportunities. Their realization could have been better, but the boys are bad guys,” said Vītoliņš after the game.
He noted that a beautiful goal was scored in the third period after 1:2, and Latvian hockey players also had good scoring moments in extra time, but the team can play better.
Vītoliņš emphasized that all shifts fought and there were no indifferent ones.
The coach emphasized that before the game he advised the hockey players not to be afraid of making mistakes, because he wanted to see how they react after mistakes, how they feel, how much they can do and how much they can risk.
He also noted the excitement of the young guys and the fact that they felt safe on the field.
Speaking about Friday’s game, Vītoliņš reminded that striker Oskars Batņa has arrived in Riga, who already took part in training on Thursday.
“We plan to put Batnia in the lineup tomorrow, and let’s see who we will give a break from today’s lineup. Erik Vitols will be in goal, but the rest of the players will remain the same,” the coach planned.
“The emotions are fantastic. I didn’t see anything around me after the ‘goal’,” Gavar says about the goal scored in his debut game for the senior national team. He emphasized that the three transitioned well in attack, and when he shot at the goal, it was already empty.
“I couldn’t believe it at first,” says the striker about the goal, “but then you have to forget about it and prepare for the next shift.”
“Compared to the first period, in the second and third period we won a lot of pucks, which helped us stay in the opponent’s zone,” the hockey player said about the game, confirming that it was difficult because Austria is a good team.
It was the first test match for the Latvian hockey team, which started the official training camp on Monday in the Daugava Stadium ice hall.
The Latvian national team is scheduled to play six test matches at home and two away this spring.
On April 4 and 5, we have to meet Austria in the Daugava Ice Hall. These games are not available for fans. On April 10 and 11, “Arena Riga” will host matches with Finland, and on May 3 and 4 – with Norway.
All test matches of the Latvian national team can be watched live on the TV6 channel.
On the other hand, away games with Switzerland will be held on April 26 and 27.
In the Latvian national team, the head coach Harijs Vītoliņš is assisted by coaches Lauris Dārziņš, Artūrs Irbe, Petri Nummelins, Ville Peltonens, Raimonds Vilkoits, video coach Pēteris Groms and physical training specialist Āriks Visockis.
The Latvian national team will go to the world championship in the Czech Republic on May 9.
The 2024 championship will be held in Prague and Ostrava from May 10 to 26.
2024-04-04 19:32:25
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