GDT: KAZ vs. LAT May 14, 2024

[Summer Rose]

Who: Kazakhstan vs. Latvia

What: IIHF World Championship Group B

Where: Ostravar Arena, Ostrava, Czech Republic

When: 16:20 CEDT (10:20 EDT)

Why: There's a cookie in the cookie jar to steal!

Click to read more...

 

[Namejs]

If we can't manage to get 3 points vs. Kazakhstan, I feel like we don't deserve making the play-offs.

Locmelis is finally back, Batna is available again, so we will finally have some structure to our lines again.

For some context, we played the first 2 games without actual centermen. With Batna being our 2C even though he's a power forward suited to bottom 6. Our 3C was a smallish winger and 4C a guy who started playing C this season and wouldn't have a shot at making the team if everyone was available.

We played most of the game vs. France with one actual center.

With that issue being in the rear view mirror, I actually feel confident about beating Kazakhstan.

 

[ozo]

As long as we stay away from penalty box, we should be fine, Kazakhstan has little hockey in their bottom 9 and, if Shutov gets the nod again, and I'm fairly confident goals will come, their backup Boyarkin looked very good in the limited garbage minutes he saw.

 

[Namejs]

Dzierkals-Ābols-Daugaviņš
RoBukarts-Batņa-Krastenbergs
RiBukarts-Ločmelis-Indrašis
Gavars-Egle-Tralmaks
Ansons

Looking good. Bukarts-Locmelis-Indrasis is a line that worked very well last year.

Once again, the only issue I have is Tralmaks being on the 4th line and Dzierkals on the top line.

Looks like Gudlevskis is starting, which also makes sense since we have a back to back and an important game against Germany tomorrow.

 

[Uleke]

IMHO, Latvia this year is weaker than last year version, so hope the Kazakhs can get at least 1 point with them

 

[ozo]

IMHO, Latvia this year is weaker than last year version, so hope the Kazakhs can get at least 1 point with them

Latvia is weaker this year, so I will settle for only 4:0

 

[flemo]

Latvia is weaker this year, so I will settle for only 4:0

Well, that's kind of bold prediction, Latvia has lost points to Poland and France, while Kazakhs have won against France.

 

[Namejs]

IMHO, Latvia this year is weaker than last year version, so hope the Kazakhs can get at least 1 point with them

We're missing Balcers and Balinskis. That's it.

As great as they are, we're not THAT weaker. As said previously, the first two games were disjointed because of issues with centermen.

We're back in business now

 

[flemo]

Off topic - like for every status in the thread degrades value of that like. Will I get like for this one?

 

[ozo]

Well, that's kind of bold prediction, Latvia has lost points to Poland and France, while Kazakhs have won against France.

It is not a bold prediction. It is average pregame trash talk.

 

[Summer Rose]

Off topic - like for every status in the thread degrades value of that like. Will I get like for this one?

It's just something I do. Don't mind me.

 

[Namejs]

It is not a bold prediction. It is average pregame trash talk.

Trash talk?

I honestly think we will school them.

One thing not brought up yet is the size difference. Kazakhs are as big as our U18 team.

We're the biggest team in the tournament and we play a tight physical game. We have more skill, more speed and we have better goaltending.

If we draw Kazakhstan, I'm skipping the rest of the tournament.

 

[HockeyinLV]

This game is as important as it gets. Its 3 points or nothing for us. Hopefully Gudlevskis is ready and wont fail us early on.

 

[Uleke]

if Kazakhs want just to survive this tournament they must win just Poland, but they are willing to go play off against all odds they must win Latvia

 

[Summer Rose]

Keeping an eye on this game today... hope it's a good one.

 

[HockeyinLV]

Giving Kazakhs unecessary chances like this will cost us a game.

Atleast we didnt give up a goal in the first, so thats an improvement..

 

[ozo]

Every single good chance dies on Dzierkals stick. So frustrating.

 

[LudwigVonKarlsson]

What a barn burner of a matchup...

 

[HockeyinLV]

Every single good chance dies on Dzierkals stick. So frustrating.

Just imagine if it was Balcers on that wing, things could be so different.

 

[Namejs]

How many more chances does Dzierkals have to waste for Tralmaks or anyone else to be placed on the top line?

I mean, seriously. This is getting ridiculous. He literally had an empty net this time.

 

[jj cale]

Bukarts, this has been a pretty good period.

 

[ellja3]

I mean, we had to have a bounce go in our favor at some point.

 

[Summer Rose]

2-0 Latvia!

 

[HockeyinLV]

One thing that bothers me is how many turnovers this team is creating. Totally unforced errors, too.

 

[Namejs]

Finally some things are going our way. We need to get another one to make the ending a little less dramatic than before.