Turned after the sudden start Latvian
Updated 15:51 | Posted at 1:36 pm
TAMMERFORS. Latvia advanced against Canada in the World Cup semi-finals.
J20 player Lulea hit Dans Locmelis again in the tournament.
Canada turned the game around to win 4-2, after super talented 18-year-old Adam Fantelli scored the game-winning goal with a solo performance.
There is a noisy and colorful invasion of Latvian fans in Tampere and a fanatical atmosphere in the arena.
Latvia, who loves hockey, made its historic debut in the semi-finals of the World Cup, and the home country remained idly by.
Just like in the quarter-final against Tre Kronor, it was 19-year-old Dans Lukemlice from Lulea who gave Latvia the lead.
After a Canadian attack at the start of the game, Latvia managed to lift the game and Dans Locmelis showed his composure as he scored a rebound in front of the goal.
The arena exploded and the many Latvian supporters in the stands could not believe what was happening.
We started the game by playing smart. We believed in each other and felt proud, says first place Rodrigo Apolles.
Rudolfs Balcherries dribbled the ball through and again gave Latvia a 2-1 lead, just a minute after the Canadian equaliser.
The best player in the match
In addition to the goals, Latvians amassed chances, challenging Dans Locmelis and getting past the Canadian players.
– It is unlikely, it is completely incomparable. Latvia plays with more confidence than they can. It’s great disrespect, says Jonas Anderson, “It’s cool to see them play hockey.”
Latvia with players from the Hockeyallsvenskan and smaller European leagues rocked Canada with mostly only NHL players.
The Latvian People’s Heroes played with great joy and despair in the match.
The Canadians became frustrated and tried to provoke the Latvians in the usual North American fashion.
First big goal
They got a little lucky with the Rangers and Samuel Blais of St. Louis Blues scored his dream half-volley goal to equalize at 1-1.
The Buffalo Sabers’ Jack Quinn made it 2-2 when he randomly kicked the ball and the ball bounced past goaltender Arturs Silovs’ head.
Adam Fantelli scored his first career senior goal, and he and Leo Carlson finished first after Conor Bedard ahead of this summer’s NHL draft.
Dans Locmelis, who came to Luleå at the age of 15, could have played in the SHL, but since he is going to college play, he was not allowed to play professional hockey.
Next season he will play at the University of Massachusetts in the NCAA.
The text has been updated.