Latvia before the World Championship: seven players from the Extraliga will help to repeat the bronze medal sensation

Last year, Latvia had an unforgettable ride, after which its hockey players stole historic bronze medals for their country. It was a great glory that the people there will never forget. This year, the Latvians will try to build on that huge success. And again, just like last year, they will be able to rely on a large group of players from the Czech Extraliga.

Published

8 months ago

8. 5. 2024

Rostislav Niedoba

Latvia’s population is less than two million, but it experienced more pride last year than any other country. At least in hockey, certainly. After all, just a few hours after beating the USA 4:3 and winning the bronze medal, the parliament declared a national holiday.

“Celebrating the success of the Latvian hockey team could encourage everyone to strive for excellence in their work and skills.A joint celebration of this day will strengthen national self-confidence and the cohesion of Latvian society,” MPs said at the time when voting for the big holiday. And this year, Latvians will try to pull off the stunt again.

Preparations like a seesaw

The match preparation period started for the Latvians on 4 April, when they played Austria twice on home soil in two days. The home team won both matches 3:2 after a shootout. However, things were not so glorious after that.

Five defeats in a row followed. The Latvians lost twice to Finland 2:3, once in overtime. The biggest problem was with the Swiss, with whom they fell 1:5 and 0:4.

LATVIA’S PRELIMINARY MATCHES BEFORE THE WORLD CUP

The Bukarts brothers as a certainty in life

Last year, the bronze medal team had a total of seven extra-league representatives, and this year the number will be the same. The pair of Roberts and Rihards Bukarts are once again an indispensable part of the national squad. This year they can benefit from working together in Vítkovice.

Other extra-league forwards are Eduards Tralmaks from Kladno and Oskars Batna from Hradec. However, the latter has not yet started for Mountfield, as he is a fresh reinforcement. Last year he played for Jukurit of Finland, where he scored 41 points.

Latvia’s defence will be reinforced by Ralfs Freibergs from Hradec Kralove. Kristaps Zīle and Jãnis Jaks will come from Litvinov Verva. Kãrlis Čukste and Oskars Cibulskis will also appear in the Latvian defence for the Czech fans.

Head coach of the Latvian national hockey team Harijs Vītoliņš named three goalies, eight defensemen and fourteen forwards to the nomination list. The final roster will be announced on 9 May, the day before the championship.

LATVIA’S NOMINATION FOR THE 2024 WORLD CUP

BRANCHES:
Kristers Gudlevskis (Bremerhaven/Germany)
Elvis Merzlikins (Columbus/NHL)
Eriks Vitols (KeuPa/Fin.),

DEFENSES:
Janis Jaks, Kristaps Zile (both Litvínov/Czech Republic)
Arvils Bergmanis (University of Alaska-Fairbanks/NCAA)
Oskars Cibulskis (Herning/Den.)
Karlis Čukste (Brynäs/Sweden)
Ralfs Freibergs (Hradec Kralove/Czech Republic)
Markus Komuls (Trois-Rivieres/ECHL)
Robert Mamčics (Nové Zámky/SR)

FORWARDS
Rihards Bukarts, Roberts Bukarts (both Vítkovice/CR)
Rodrigo Abols (Rögle/Sweden)
Raivis Ansons (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton/AHL)
Oskars Batna (Jukurit Mikkeli/Fin.)
Kaspars Daugavins ( Michalovce/SR)
Martins Dzierkals (Skelleftea AIK/Sweden)
Haralds Egle (Liptovský Mikuláš/SR)
Felikss Gavars (St. Lawrence University/NCAA)
Miks Indrašis (Brynäs/Sweden)
Renars Krastenbergs (Styrsky Hradec/ICEHL)
Martins Lavins (University of New Hampshire/NCAA)
Dan Lochmelis (University of Massachusetts/NCAA)
Eduards Tralmaks (Kladno/Czech Republic).

The Latvian national team will enter the tournament on May 11 in Ostrava against Poland at 4:20 p.m. and will play France the following day. They will close the regular group on 21 May with a match against the USA. Like everyone else, the Latvians will play seven games in the preliminary group.