Disappointing end for Latvia at Olympics
The 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing continue and the hockey tournament has entered the knockout stages. Now it was time for Latvia to meet Denmark to prove a point.
Latvia entered the game having lost all three group stage games and with a point to prove as massive underdogs even in the match against Denmark - a team that took care of things against Czechia and Switzerland. Harijs Vitolins and his men knew what was on the table - Janis Kalnins once again started in the net and Lauris Darzins - the team captain returned to the line-up in the most important game yet. No other major changes for feet-dragging Latvia.
Latvia didn’t deserve to make it to the quarter-finals and they didn’t - third-period failures led to a 3:2 victory for Denmark which will now face the Russian Olympic Committee team.
For Latvia, it was tough not only results-wise but also because two very important players announced their retirement from the national team - former captain Kaspars Daugavins and current - Lauris Darzins.
‘’You saw the way we started. We were ready for the game but the opportunities weren’t properly used. When going two against goalie or on a breakaway, you have to score. Opponents risked more. Denmark scored the go-ahead goal and that allowed them to fully switch to defense forcing us to run more. We had the win in our hands but we let things slip.’’ Harijs Vitolins looked back at the game.
A tie in the opening frame
The game was off to a quick and flying start with Latvia spending tons of time playing with the puck and creating dangerous scoring chances. Denmark meanwhile answered with their dangerous counters promising fans of both sides to be on their toes at all times. Deniss Smirnovs with the first real opportunity to open the score but Sebastian Dahm was ready for the game and he stopped the puck after a rebound shot by Miks Indrasis.
Out of the blue, a goalie change occurred for Latvia - Janis Kalnins who didn’t get much action was replaced by Ivars Punnenovs. Out of nowhere, Denmark forced the Latvians to make a huge error which led to a shot and goal by Morten Poulsen. If that wasn’t enough Miks Indrasis managed to earn two minutes for tripping. A kill successful - so far the only thing in the match.
The captain Latvia was back and showing character - he was sent to battle one-on-one with Dahm and made no mistake to tie things up in the game with 3:37 left in the first period! For an important game for Darzins - his 150th national team match and no one knows if this could be the last.
You tie, we tie, everyone ties
Bad news in goalie front continued for Latvia - Kristers Gudlevskis was forced to dress as emergency goalie as the second period got underway. Both teams started out strong and at a quick pace opening up the game that handed chances for both sides. For Latvia however, it meant a power-play as Emil Kristensen was sent to the penalty box. Lauris Darzins was determined to keep going - he looked at the goalie and without any hesitation shot the puck at the net to make it 2:1 for Latvia.
The goal had once again sparked the Latvians as they headed on to try and extend their lead - Rihards Bukarts with an amazing chance on a breakaway but this time Dahm was better. Two Latvian players followed up with a rush two against a goalie but that was no good either. Chaos ensued for Denmark as their opponents had completely taken over the game and just shot away at the net from literally every spot one could imagine.
Nikolajs Jelisejevs gifted Denmark hope in this match after receiving a tripping minor - that was killed successfully. The second period was almost over when once again Denmark’s fourth-line caught Latvia napping to beat Punnenovs for the second time in the game to once again tie things up - Julian Jakobsen credited with the goal.
Denmark shut down Latvia
Just 12 seconds in a penalty call - Lauris Darzins was sent to the box for interference. Denmark went on to attack straight away causing issues for Ivars Punnenovs who together with his teammates scrapped for the puck in the crease. For the first time in this game, the men in red went up by a goal - Markus Lauridsen from the blue-line beat a screened goalie.
Once again - just as in the previous three Latvia had to look for a comeback in order to have a hope of winning. The pace of the game played in hands of their opponents. Aagaard with a lazy penalty suddenly brought hope for the third tie of the game - yet no good. Latvia continued to control the puck but without anything dangerous.
Nervousness approached with five minutes left to play in the third. Complete dominance was once again assumed by the Latvians but still, you couldn’t find anything of substance that would help them to get back into the match. One last chance was given to them as Nicholas B. Jensen was caught slashing. The penalty was killed and so was the hope of Latvia making it out of the qualifying stage - a 3:2 victory for Denmark.
