Latvian men’s hockey team defeats Norway in a test match before the World Cup: Bukarts stands out with three goals

On Saturday, May 3, the Latvian men’s ice hockey team ended the series of test matches before the world championship with a crushing victory over Norway at Arena Rīga, with Rihards Bukarts scoring three goals.

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Rihards Bukarts scored three goals, Kaspars Daugavins scored two goals, Mārtiņš Dzierkals, Miks Indrašis and Roberts Kaļķis scored one each.

Dzierkals was recognized as the best in the Latvian team, and Tomas Olsens of Norway.

Already in the 28th second, Latvia remained in the minority, as Swedish champion Mārtiņš Dzierkals, the new member of the national team, received a two-minute penalty for holding with a stick, but the goal was saved.

1-0 was achieved in the seventh minute by Rihard Bukart, who deflected Ralf Freiberg’s shot in front of the goal, and the puck hit the top left corner of the goal. A productive assist was also credited to Robert Mamčicas, but Oskars Batņa covered the visibility of the opponent’s goalkeeper in front of the goal.

Half a minute before the end of the first period, the visitors received a two-minute penalty, and only 15 seconds were needed for Latvia to double the score difference – 2:0. After Renārs Krastenbergs and Jānis Jakas passes, Dzierkals scored a goal from the middle of the opponent’s area.

3:0 was made in the 26th minute after the Latvian hockey players won the battle at the rim, and Miks Indrašis scored from the middle of the opponent’s zone after Raivjas Ansons and Krastenberg’s passes. The puck hit the goalkeeper and slid into the left corner of the goal.

In the 35th minute, after the passes of Arvils Bergmanis and Kaspars Daugavinas, Roberts Kalkis made it 4-0 with a long shot, sending the puck into the right corner of the goal.

The period ended similarly to the first. The Norwegians earned a two-minute suspension 72 seconds before the break, and Latvia needed 49 seconds to make it 5-0. After the passes of Indraš and Robert Bukarts, Rihards Bukarts scored the goal from in front of the goal, sending the puck into the left corner of the half-empty goal.

In the 44th minute, after a pass from Oskars Cibulskis, Daugavins sent the puck between the legs of goalkeeper Henrik Haukelann with the awkward side of the stick in front of the goal from the left side of the field. Dzierkals also earned a productive pass.

Daugavins needed two minutes and 14 seconds to score two goals. This time, after a pass by Oskars Cibulskis along the blue line, Daugaviņš caught the puck thrown from the right side of the field by Jānis Jakas in front of the goal, and it flew into the left corner of the goal.

In the 51st minute, Rihards Bukarts scored 8-0 with a shot from the middle of the Norwegian zone after the passes of Robert Bukart and Batnia, achieving a hat-trick.

Four minutes and three seconds before the end of the game, having played a “dry” game, Latvian goalkeeper Kristers Gudļevskis went to the sidelines, giving way to reserve player Āriks Vītolas.

Rihards Bukarts (3+0) and Daugaviņš (2+1) scored three points in the game, Dzierkals, Indrašis (both – 1+1), Krastenbergs, Roberts Bukarts and defenders Cibulskis and Jaks scored two points each.

Gudlevsky saved all 17 shots, but Vitols managed the only shot on his goal. Haukelann saved 31 of 38 shots for the Norwegians.

On Friday, the Latvians lost to the Norwegians in extra time with 0:1. The goal of the Latvian national team was guarded by Elvis Merzlikins, who was recognized as the best player in the national team.

In the previous games, the Latvian ice hockey players defeated Austria twice in the shootout at home with 3:2 and lost to Finland twice with 2:3, but lost to Switzerland 1:5 and 0:4 away.

The Norwegians celebrated three victories in six games in April. The guests shared points with Denmark (1:3, 3:2), but lost twice to Hungary (1:2, 2:3). Then the Danes were defeated 4:3 and 2:1 in overtime at home.

After the match with Switzerland, forwards Miks Indrašis, Raivis Ansons and Swedish champion Mārtiņš Dzierkals, German vice-champion goalkeeper Kristers Gudļevskis, as well as defender Kārlis Čukste joined the Latvian national team, but forwards Kristaps Skrastiņš and Tom Anderson, defender Artūrs Andžan and goalkeeper Ivars Punnenovs are no longer in the national team. .

It also became known that due to injuries, the finalists of the Swiss Championship, Rudolfs Balcers and Ronalds Kēniņš, will not be able to help the national team this spring.

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 take place in Prague and Ostrava from May 10 to 26.

List of candidates for the Latvian national team:

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

defenders – Jānis Jaks, Kristaps Zīle (Litvīnovas “Verva”, Czech Republic), Roberts Mamčić (“Nove Zamky”, Slovakia), Arvils Bergmanis (University of Alaska Fairbanks, NCAA), Markus Komuls (Trois-Riviera “Lions”, Canada), Roberts Kalkis (“Marseille”, France), Sandis Smons (“La Chaux-de-Fonds”, Switzerland), Ralfs Freiberg (“Mountfield” of Hradeckralov), Oskars Cibulskis (“Blue Fox” of Herning, Denmark), Christopher Bindulis (Mihalovces “Dukla”, Slovakia), Kārlis Čukste (Jēvles “Brynas”, Sweden);

forwards – Oskars Batņa (Mikeli “Jukurit”, Finland), Roberts Bukarts (Vítkovice “Ridera”, Czech Republic), Filips Buncis (Vestervíkas IK, Sweden), Renars Krastenberg (Graz “99ers”, Austria), Haralds Egle (Liptovski Mikuláš “ MHK 32, Slovakia), Rihards Marenis (Nibro Vikings, Sweden), Oskars Lapinskis (Langnavs Tigers, Switzerland), Martins Lavins (University of New Hampshire, NCAA), Felix Gavar (University of St. Lawrence, NCAA), Dan Lochmelis (University of Massachusetts Emerst, NCAA), Andris Džeriņš (Herning Blue Fox, Denmark), Kaspars Daugaviņš (Mihalovce Dukla, Slovakia), Eduards Tralmaks (Kladno Rytīrži, Czech Republic), Raivis Ansons (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins”, AHL), Miks Indrašis (Jēvles “Brynas”, Sweden), Mārtiņš Dzierkals (Šellefteo AIK, Sweden).

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