Latvian hockey players clinched first place at the Deutschland Cup in Düsseldorf on Sunday by defeating Austria 6 to 2.
Head coach Harijs Vītoliņš led the national selection to finish the tournament with 11 points after three victories, as reported by nra.lv, LSM, and the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation (LHF). Vītoliņš is assisted by coaches Lauris Dārziņš, Sandis Ozoliņš, and Raimonds Vilkoits, goaltending coach Artūrs Irbe, video coach Pēteris Groms, and strength and conditioning coach Ēriks Visockis.
The result marks Latvia’s second tournament title in history following their victory in 2020, which was contested by only three teams—Latvia, Germany, and the German U-23 team—due to Covid-19 restrictions. The Deutschland Cup has been held since 1987, making this the 37th edition of the tournament.
“Mūsu hokejisti ar ļoti saturīgu sniegumu izcīnīja trīs uzvaras trijās spēlēs,” the LHF said in its official tournament report, highlighting victories that included a 3 to 2 overtime win against Slovakia and a 3 to 1 decision over host nation Germany, while Slovakia defeated Austria 6 to 1 and Germany beat Austria 3 to 0 in other tournament action.
Bruno Osmanis opened the scoring at the 9-and-a-half-minute mark of the first period following a pass from Kristaps Skrastiņš. Fēlikss Gavars doubled the lead less than three minutes later on a power play assisted by Toms Andersons and Sandis Smons, according to the LHF protocol.
Renārs Krastenbergs added a third goal before the intermission during another power-play opportunity. Goaltender Gustavs Dāvis Grigals was actively tested from the opening minutes of the match and successfully weathered a period of play when Latvia was shorthanded.
Krastenbergs notched his second goal of the match 6 minutes and 51 seconds into the second frame with helpers from Andersons and Rihards Melnalksnis. Rūdolfs Polcs capitalized on a goalmouth scramble at 29:16, steering the puck past the Austrian defense to extend the advantage to 5 to 0.
Grigals finished the match with 29 saves on 31 shots, stopping 93.55% of the attempts he faced.
Raimonds Vītoliņš completed the scoring midway through the third period at 51:25, tallying his first international goal for the senior national team from close range with assists from Emīls Veckaktiņš and Patriks Zabusovs.
The tournament served as a key test ahead of the 2027 World Championship, LSM reported. The roster operated without Kristiāns Rubīns and Rodrigo Ābols due to club commitments, granting expanded ice time to younger squad members, according to LSM coverage.
Latvia previously finished third at the Deutschland Cup last year. The team’s next international appearance is scheduled for December at the Kaufland Cup in Spišská Nová Ves, Slovakia.
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