yesterday 19:30
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Slovak ice hockey representatives under 20 advanced to the quarterfinals of the WC. On Friday in Moncton, Canada, they defeated Latvia 3:0 in their third league game. They will definitely finish no worse than fourth in the standings. At the same time, they still have a chance to progress to the elimination round as group B winners.
You can watch the duel Slovakia – Latvia ONLINE at ŠPORT.sk >>
Goalkeeper Adam Gajan shone in the match, clearing all 27 of his opponents’ shots. Alex Čiernik gave Slovakia the lead late in the first period, captain Šimon Nemec and Filip Mešár sealing victory in the third.
The Slovak “twenties” are in 3rd place in the standings with 6 points, the Latvians are in 5th place with one point after playing four games and are fighting to stay in the elite category.
Ivan Feneš’s men will meet Switzerland in their final group match on Saturday 31 December at 17:00 CET.
Group B:
Slovakia – Latvia 3:0 (1:0, 0:0, 2:0)
Targets: 18. Čiernik (Repčík, Dvorský), 50. Š. Nemec (Mešár, L. Nemec), 58. Mešár.
Judges: Yerkovich (USA), Harnebring – Persson (both Swedes), Wyonzek (Can.), red cards: 3:3 for 2 minutes, power play 1:0, weakness: 0:0, 3878 spectators.
Slovakia: Gajan-Funtek, Š. Nemec, Nátny, Štrbák, Groch, Kmec, Bečár – L. Nemec, Petrovský, Mešár – Čiernik, Dvorský, Sýkora – Mišiak, Repčík, Žlnka – Šotek, Dej, Štefančík
Latvia: Berzinš – Ozolinš, Hodas, Simanović, Fenenko, Mackevich, Kazak – Darzinš, Lochmelis, Lavinš – Dukurs, Weinberg, Purmalis – Veckaktinš, Bukart, Ravinskis – Cjunskis, Rullers, Vilmanis – Samitis, Silkalns
The Slovaks ran into a well-defended side from the start, the Latvians overwhelmed in the midfield and Ivan Fenes’ men found it difficult to break through the solid defence. However, they had more play and the first chance, which Šimon Nemec took. Then the Latvians also took the lead, specifically Dukurs, Gajan rejected his attempt. In the 18th minute, Libor Nemec had a chance, but it was Čiernik’s save that took the lead and the Slovaks opened the scoring just before the end of the 1st period.
In the central part of the match, the Latvians had the first chance in the power play, on the opposite side, the post rang after Mešár’s shot. In this phase of the match the match was balanced, the 11:11 shot ratio in the middle of the match spoke of it. Mešár was also unlucky with another shot in the 33rd minute, after his attempt the goal rang out. With this numerical advantage, after Štrbák’s mistake, Ločmelis escaped, but Gajan caught him in the foray. The end of the 2nd period belonged to the Latvian hockey players, thanks to Gajan the situation has not changed.
The third part offered minimal hockey beauty. The Latvians tried to go on the offensive in different ways, they needed to win by three points in this game, but they lacked energy and the Slovaks defended themselves in a very tactical and above all disciplined way. Finally they broke the opponent in the 50th minute, when Mešár pushed the puck into the zone, he waited for the German skating and the Slovakian defender made the final decision. Mešár then sealed the triumph with a goal into an empty net.
