Other events in Baltic States

International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics Friday, 29.03.2024, 09:29

Latvia defeats Italy at Hockey Worlds

BC, Riga, 15.05.2019.Print version

Latvia defeated Italy 3:0 (0:0, 2:0, 1:0) in their third match at this year's Hockey World Championship in Slovakia on Tuesday, informed LETA. 


Roberts Bukarts, Rihards Marenis and Teodors Blugers scored the goals for Latvia.


Bukarts was named the best player for Latvia today, while goalie Andreas Bernard was the best player for Italy.


Latvia was firmly in control from start to finish, outshooting the Italians 65 to 15.


Although Latvia had a number of good chances in the first period, the first goal was scored only in the 30th minute of the match, when Roberts Bukarts netted a backhander on a pass from his brother Rihards Bukarts. With less than two minutes to go in the second period, Rihards Marenis made the score 2:0, spinning around and firing a no-look shot from the right face-off circle.


Latvia's offense slowed a little in the third period, but after the Italians pulled the goalie for an extra player, Blugers scored an empty netter with less than a minute left.


Latvia will next play the Czech Republic on Thursday.


As reported, Latvia beat Austria 5:2 on Saturday but lost to a close one to Switzerland 1:3 on Monday. On the other hand, Italy was defeated 0:9 by Switzerland and 0:8 by Sweden.


In Group B standings, Russia is currently in first place with nine points from three games, while the Czechs, Switzerland, Sweden and Latvia each have six points. Austria, Norway and Italy have zero points.


Four best-placed teams in each group (A and B) will advance to the playoff round, while the last-placed team in each group will be relegated to Division I next year.






    Search site