Latvian ice hockey players defeated France in the decisive game of the tournament held at home with a score of 5:2 (2:1, 3:0, 0:1) and will participate in the second Winter Olympics in a row.
After the restoration of independence, this was the ninth qualification tournament for Latvia, having secured participation in the Olympic Games six times. In the 2026 Olympic Games, the hockey tournament will take place in Milan.
Eduards Tralmaks, Roberts Bukarts, Rodrigo Ābols, Mārtiņš Dzierkals and Kristiāns Rubīns, who also had two assists, scored goals for the Latvian national team. Jānis Jaks also assisted in two goals.
The goal was guarded by Kristers Gudlevsky, who saved 17 of 19 shots. Gudļevskis was recognized as the best player of the Latvian national team in this match.
The most valuable player of the tournament was awarded to the captain of the Latvian hockey team, Kaspars Daugaviņš.
Gudlevsky was recognized as the best goalkeeper of the tournament, Uvis Jānis Balinskis won the best defender award, and the Frenchman Aleksandrs Texier – the best striker.
Already in the 21st second, after a pass from Alexander Texier, Charles Bertrand sent the puck into the empty corner of the goal, who made it 1:0 in favor of the French. In the sixth minute, when Rubin threw the puck out of the zone, it came to Tralmak, who used a pass against the opposing goalkeeper and equalized the score.
Less than three minutes later, after the passes of Dan Ločmelis and Jānis Jak, Bukarts realized the majority and the hosts of the tournament took the lead.
In the second period, after four minutes of play, Abols masterfully held his position after a long raid and sent the puck into the goal, making it 3:1 in favor of the Latvian national team. A minute and a half later, Dzierkals also made a long slide across the field, who ended the attack with an unerring pass from the middle of the zone – 4:1.
When there were 28 seconds left until the end of the third period, as Rubīn was persistently going for the goal, the Latvian defender directed the puck into the net and achieved a four-goal lead.
As a result, the French came close three minutes and seven seconds before the end of regular time, when Gudlevski beat Stephans da Costa with a shot with the awkward side of the stick.
In the first match of the day, Slovenia defeated Ukraine 6:2 (2:0, 1:2, 3:0) for the third place in the tournament.
On Thursday, Latvia beat Slovenia 4:2, and on Friday they defeated Ukraine 5:1. France defeated Ukraine 7:2 and Slovenia 5:1.
While preparing for the tournament, the Latvian national team lost 2:3 to Denmark in test matches in Riga and won 5:3 against the Danish national team.
Latvia has entered three goalkeepers, eight defenders and 14 forwards for the qualification tournament. Initially, one more place in the goalkeeper position was left in the application, but on Thursday, Eriks Vitols was included in the team.
Due to personal reasons, NHL players Teodors Bļugers and Elvis Merzlikins, as well as defender Kārlis Čukste, could not help the Latvian national team in the qualification tournament. After the first match, due to injury, the tournament ended for Zemgus Girgensons, and before the third match, Denis Smirnovs was announced in his place.
Latvian national team:
goalkeepers – Kristers Gudlevskis (Bremerhafen “Fischtown Pinguins”, Germany), Gustavs Grigal (Milwaukee “Admirals”, AHL), Erik Vitols (Jiviskeles JYP, Finland);
defenders – Uvis Balinskis (Florida “Panthers”, NHL), Jānis Jaks, Roberts Mamčić (both – Karlovy Vary “Energia”, Czech Republic), Kristians Rubīns (Plzen “Škoda”, Czech Republic), Kristaps Zīle (Litvīnova “Verva”, Czech Republic) ), Ralf Freiberg (“Mountfield” of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic), Markus Komul (“Nove Zamky”, Slovakia), Oskars Cibulskis (“Blue Fox” of Herning, Denmark);
forwards – Zemgus Girgensons (Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL), Rodrigo Abols (Philadelphia Flyers, NHL), Oskars Batnia (Mountfield Hradeckralov, Czech Republic), Haralds Egle (Bratislava Slovan, Slovakia), Dan Lochmelis (Massachusetts University of Emerst, NCAA), Rudolph Balcers (Zurich “Lions”, Switzerland), Kaspars Daugavins, Renārs Krastenberg (both – Mihalovce “Dukla”, Slovakia), Miks Indrašis (Jēvles “Brynas”, Sweden), Mārtiņš Dzierkals (Šlelefteo AIK, Sweden), Eduard Tralmak (Kladno “Rytīrži”, Czech Republic), Robert Bukart, Rihard Bukart (both – Vítkovice “Ridera”, Czech Republic), Felix Gavar (St. Lorenz University, NCAA), Denis Smirnov (Kloten, Switzerland) .
France national team:
goalkeepers – Gilliens Junka (Mihalovce “Dukla”, Czech Republic), Antoine Keller (“Lausanne”, Switzerland), Canteen Papillon (Bordeaux “Boxers”);
defenders – Johann Ovitou (Witkowitz, Czech Republic), Enzo Cantagallo (Dragons of Rouen), Florian Şakiashvili (Rouen), Pierre Crynon (Grenoble FC Bruleurs de Loups), Igo Galé (Tamperes FC Tappara) , Enzo Gebbe (Davos, Switzerland), Vensan Lorca (Duc Angers), Tom Thiry (Ajoie, Switzerland);
forwards – Justin Adamo (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton “Penguins”, AHL), Pierre-Edouard Belmare (no club), Charles Bertrand (“Ingolstad”, Germany), Louis Boudon (Niebro “Vikings”, Sweden), Tim Bozon (“Lausanne “, Switzerland), Valanten Clairo (“Vitkovice”, Czech Republic), Stefan da Costa (Ekaterinburg “Avtomobilist”, KHL), Florent Duet (“Ambri Piotta”, Switzerland), Pierik Dibet (Washington “Capitals”, NHL), Dylan Fabre (Pori Assat, Finland), Guillaume LeClair (Grenobles Bruleurs de loups), Jordan Perret (Hradec Kralové Mountfield, Czech Republic), Alexander Texier (Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL), Sasha Trey (Grenobles Bruleurs de loups”).
Source: www.diena.lv
