Latvia initially applies only 18 hockey players for the world championship

Initially, only 18 hockey players were registered as part of the Latvian men’s hockey team for the world championship, according to the national team’s application for the tournament.

For the time being, goalkeeper Eriks Vitols, defenders Oskars Cibulskis, Arvils Bergmanis and Markus Komuls, forwards Dans Ločmelis, Raivis Ansons and Martins Laviņš remain out of the team.

Of the seven hockey players left out of the application, four more will be applied until the first game, while three spots will be left open for Uvi Balinskis, Arturs Šilov and Teodors Blüger, who are still playing in the Stanley Cup of the National Hockey League (NHL).

In test matches, Latvian ice hockey players beat Austria twice in penalty kicks at home with 3:2 and lost to Finland twice with 2:3, lost to Switzerland 1:5 and 0:4 away, but lost to Norwegians 0:1 in extra time in Riga, winning by 8 in the replay :0.

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.

Switzerland will meet Norway in Prague today at 17:20 Latvian time in Group A, and the Czech Republic will meet Finland at 21:20, this match will be broadcast live on LTV7, while in Group B, where Latvia is also playing, Slovakia will play Germany first at these same times, this match will also be broadcast live. broadcast by LTV7, followed by the Sweden-USA game.

The first opponents of the Latvian national team in subgroup B in Ostrava on May 11 at 17:20 will be the Polish national team, which competed in the first division last year and returned to the elite after a 22-year break.

After that, on May 12, Latvia will meet with France, on May 14 – with Kazakhstan, on May 15 – with Germany, on May 18 – with Sweden, on May 19 – with Slovakia, and in the final group game on May 21, the Latvians will play against USA hockey players , who were beaten last year in the fight for bronze awards.

All matches of the Latvian national team can be followed live on LTV7.

Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Great Britain, Norway and Switzerland compete in Prague in subgroup A, while Latvia, USA, Germany, Sweden, France, Kazakhstan, Slovakia and Poland compete in Ostrava in subgroup B.

The 16 teams participating in the tournament are divided into two groups, with eight teams each, which guarantees seven games for each team.

The top four teams in each group will continue the medal fight in the quarter-finals, while the weaker teams in both groups will leave the stronger division, and next year will be replaced by Hungary and Slovenia in the top 16.

Last year, the Canadians triumphed in the world championships, beating Germany in the decisive match, while Latvia won the bronze medals, defeating the USA national team in overtime.

The 2024 championship will be held in Prague and Ostrava from May 10 to 26.

The composition of the Latvian national team for participation in the world championship:

goalkeepers – Elvis Merzlikin (Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL), Erik Vitols (Keuruu “KeuPa”, Finland), Kristers Gudlevsky (Bremerhafen “Fischtown Pinguins”, Germany);

protectors – Jānis Jaks, Kristaps Zīle (Litvīnovas “Verva”, Czech Republic), Roberts Mamčić (“Nove Zamky”, Slovakia), Arvils Bergmanis (University of Alaska Fairbanks, NCAA), Markus Komuls (Trois-Rivières “Lyons”, Canada), Ralf Freiberg (“Mountfield” of Hradec Králova), Oskars Cibulskis (“Blue Fox” of Herning, Denmark), Kārlis Čukste (“Brynas” of Jävle, Sweden);

attackers – Oskars Batņa (Mikeli “Jukurit”, Finland), Roberts Bukarts (Vītkovice “Ridera”, Czech Republic), Renārs Krastenberg (Graz “99ers”, Austria), Haralds Egle (Liptovski Mikulāša “MHK 32”, Slovakia), Martins Laviņš ( University of New Hampshire, NCAA), Felix Gavars (University of St. Lawrence, NCAA), Dan Lochmelis (University of Massachusetts Emerst, NCAA), Kaspars Daugavins (Mihalovces “Dukla”, Slovakia), Eduards Tralmaks (Kladno “Rytīrži”, Czech Republic), Raivis Ansons (Penguins of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL), Miks Indrašis (Brynas of Jävle, Sweden), Mārtiņš Dzierkals (Šellefteo AIK, Sweden), Rodrigo Ābols (Rogle of Engelholm, Sweden).