Latvia's Rudolfs Balcers (right) celebrates with his teammate Kristaps Sotnieks after scoring on Norway.
photo: Matt Zambonin / HHOF-IIHF Images
Latvia defeated Norway 3-2 in overtime at Jyske Bank Boxen. Rudolf Balcers game winning tally at 0:24 of the extra period would give Latvia its first win. The game was the opener for both teams at the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.
Despite being down two goals in the first period, Latvia clawed its way back into the game and established their attack. In the third period, they were finally fully clicking and Norway did not stand a chance. After the first period, the Norwegian offensive effort diminished and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins provided some big stops.
"We got too defensive and didn't play our game," said Norway's Daniel Sorvik. "We allowed them to get back into the game and control play. That was our mistake today."
Norway struck first at 8:14 when Anders Bastiansen flipped a shot on goal while skating down the wing in the offensive zone. The puck clanged off Latvian goaltender Merzlikins mask and into the net through a tight hole between his shoulder and the crossbar. For the 37-year-old Bastiansen, it was his first goal of the tournament.
Four minutes later, Norway added another to increase their lead. Alexander Bonsaksen scored at 12:12 to make it 2-0. Norway won the faceoff, Mathis Olimb took possession and sent a pass to Bonsaksen at the point. Bonsaksen fired a booming shot on goal that Merzlikins could only watch as it whistled past into the net. Oskars Cibulskis and Ken Andre Olimb were tied up in front as the shot was taken setting a screen that may have contributed to Merzlikins being unable to react quicker. At the February Winter Olympics, Bonsaksen, a defenceman, led Norway with two goals.
Both teams finished with six shots each in the first period. Ken Andre Olimb led Norway with three of their six.
Despite being down two goals in the first period, Latvia clawed its way back into the game and established their attack. In the third period, they were finally fully clicking and Norway did not stand a chance. After the first period, the Norwegian offensive effort diminished and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins provided some big stops.
"We got too defensive and didn't play our game," said Norway's Daniel Sorvik. "We allowed them to get back into the game and control play. That was our mistake today."
Norway struck first at 8:14 when Anders Bastiansen flipped a shot on goal while skating down the wing in the offensive zone. The puck clanged off Latvian goaltender Merzlikins mask and into the net through a tight hole between his shoulder and the crossbar. For the 37-year-old Bastiansen, it was his first goal of the tournament.
Four minutes later, Norway added another to increase their lead. Alexander Bonsaksen scored at 12:12 to make it 2-0. Norway won the faceoff, Mathis Olimb took possession and sent a pass to Bonsaksen at the point. Bonsaksen fired a booming shot on goal that Merzlikins could only watch as it whistled past into the net. Oskars Cibulskis and Ken Andre Olimb were tied up in front as the shot was taken setting a screen that may have contributed to Merzlikins being unable to react quicker. At the February Winter Olympics, Bonsaksen, a defenceman, led Norway with two goals.
Both teams finished with six shots each in the first period. Ken Andre Olimb led Norway with three of their six.
I think we came together as a team as the game went on.
"It was a slow start, but in the end we kept going and found our energy. We funnelled the puck to the net and managed to score," Rubins added.
Latvia would get its first good chance to score when Mathis Olimb was called for tripping. With the man advantage, Latvia peppered some shots Lars Haugen’s way; a few went wide. But as the power play subsided, Latvia bore in with a three-on-one in the Norwegian zone. Kristaps Sotnieks gained the zone and passed to Rudolfs Balcers who scored cutting the lead in half.
Latvia was gaining momentum but that was halted when the team became undisciplined. Three minor penalty calls put Norway back on the offensive. On one of those man advantage situations, Norway’s Steffen Thoresen redirected a puck down low but Merzlikins stayed with it.
The score would sit at 2-1 after two periods.
Latvia would get its first good chance to score when Mathis Olimb was called for tripping. With the man advantage, Latvia peppered some shots Lars Haugen’s way; a few went wide. But as the power play subsided, Latvia bore in with a three-on-one in the Norwegian zone. Kristaps Sotnieks gained the zone and passed to Rudolfs Balcers who scored cutting the lead in half.
Latvia was gaining momentum but that was halted when the team became undisciplined. Three minor penalty calls put Norway back on the offensive. On one of those man advantage situations, Norway’s Steffen Thoresen redirected a puck down low but Merzlikins stayed with it.
The score would sit at 2-1 after two periods.
Norway vs. Latvia
NOR vs. LAT
Latvia skated with energy and strength throughout the third period, knocking the Norwegians back on their heels. Andris Dzerins made some noise around the Norwegian net. He would be just a few seconds shy of taking a wraparound and possibly scoring. Then Vitalijs Pavlos came close to finishing when Norway had a hard time clearing the puck out of their zone, making it hard getting a line change. Latvia was coming on again.
While Latvia was surging, Norway looked like they ran out of gas. Rodrigo Abols scored at 11:04 of the third to tie the game and where it stood setting up an overtime.
Balcers would score his second of the game, this time less than a minute into into overtime. As three-on-three play began, he created a turnover in the offensive zone, took the puck, and stickhandled through two defenders before faking out Haugen to backhand the biscuit into a wide open net.
"We wanted to win in regulation to get the three points, but at the same time, we were down 2-1 and scored a big goal and won in overtime." Rubins said. "So we have to be happy with that."
Latvia skated with energy and strength throughout the third period, knocking the Norwegians back on their heels. Andris Dzerins made some noise around the Norwegian net. He would be just a few seconds shy of taking a wraparound and possibly scoring. Then Vitalijs Pavlos came close to finishing when Norway had a hard time clearing the puck out of their zone, making it hard getting a line change. Latvia was coming on again.
While Latvia was surging, Norway looked like they ran out of gas. Rodrigo Abols scored at 11:04 of the third to tie the game where it stood through overtime.
Balcers would score his second of the game, this time less than a minute into into overtime. As three-on-three play began, he created a turnover in the offensive zone, took the puck, and stickhandled through two defenders before faking out Haugen to tap the biscuit into a wide open net.
While Latvia was surging, Norway looked like they ran out of gas. Rodrigo Abols scored at 11:04 of the third to tie the game and where it stood setting up an overtime.
Balcers would score his second of the game, this time less than a minute into into overtime. As three-on-three play began, he created a turnover in the offensive zone, took the puck, and stickhandled through two defenders before faking out Haugen to backhand the biscuit into a wide open net.
"We wanted to win in regulation to get the three points, but at the same time, we were down 2-1 and scored a big goal and won in overtime." Rubins said. "So we have to be happy with that."
Latvia skated with energy and strength throughout the third period, knocking the Norwegians back on their heels. Andris Dzerins made some noise around the Norwegian net. He would be just a few seconds shy of taking a wraparound and possibly scoring. Then Vitalijs Pavlos came close to finishing when Norway had a hard time clearing the puck out of their zone, making it hard getting a line change. Latvia was coming on again.
While Latvia was surging, Norway looked like they ran out of gas. Rodrigo Abols scored at 11:04 of the third to tie the game where it stood through overtime.
Balcers would score his second of the game, this time less than a minute into into overtime. As three-on-three play began, he created a turnover in the offensive zone, took the puck, and stickhandled through two defenders before faking out Haugen to tap the biscuit into a wide open net.
Norway vs. Latvia
OF