Indrasis, Merzlikins, Latvia blanks Denmark

Latvia and Demark, as usual with  a passionate fans cheering, open their campaign at World Championship battling for three important points for both teams ambitions. Latvia prepared a road map aiming the quarterfinals as main goals, which provides at least 4 points in the first two games, against Denamrk and Slovakia. Danish, free from the worry of relegation to be the next host of WC, want to confirm the constant growth of last years, including the last 3-2SO victory against same Latvia last year.

With Elvis Merzlikins and Sebastian Dahm in the cages, teams begin the game with a good pace, with a couple of chances for Denmark, neutralized by the Latvian goalie. After surviving a powerplay and a good save on Jakobsen, Latvia has the first great chance on a counterattack with Rihards Bukarts but he finishes firing on Dahm’s pad. In the second power play for Denmark Peter Regin misses a great opportunity with the cage open before a “football-goalkeeper-style” save by Merzlikins on a missile from the distance by Poulsen. Again the Latvian goalie is decisive cosing the net for the tap-in of Hardt after a deflection. Andrins Dzerins finally breaks the Danish good momentum with a one-timer blocked by Dahm, but the last seconds of period are again for Denmark, calling Merzlikins at another difficult save on Christiansen.

The pause regenerates Latvia, back on ice with a different attitude, opening the score after three minute with Gints Meija, served by Kulda, tapping-in a rebound after his first attempt. Girgensons wastes a chance to double the score but Ehlers throws away two bigger ones at 32 and 34 missing the net all alone in front of the cage in the first and firing on Merzlikins in the second: Latvia is now dominating and Dahm has a lot of work, especially on Roberts Bukarts and Sprukts and during the power play that closes the period.

Also in the last period the first minutes are lethal for Denmark: at 41:48 Rihards Bukarts packs a great no look pass for Janis Sprukts quickly serving Miks Indrasis for a perfect finish. Denmark vehemently reacts but again Merzlikins is a wall on which the Danish attacks are blown: Lugano goalie is outstanding on Christensen at 49 saving a goal already celebrating by the players. At 51 Latvia gains a double power play (Regin and Christensen sitting out) and closes the question: Roberts Bukarts for Miks Indrasis for the easy one-timer and the second goal by Dinamo Riga forward: Denmark doesn’t have the strength to react and Latvia can pack the virst victory, leaving a good impression for the mental strength reacting after a negative first period

MVP: Frederik Storm – Elvis Merzlikins

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