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LATVIANS FINISH NINTH WITH WIN OVER NORWAY
By Greg Alexis | Box Score
In the fight for ninth place in the tournament, Latvia claimed its first-ever win in WJC history by
rolling over Norway 4-0 at the Pacific Coliseum.
Boston Bruins prospect Martin Karsums had a goal and an assist, including the game-winner, while
goaltender Ugis Avotins made 22 saves for the shutout.
“It feels really good to win our first game,” said Karsums. “We went out there flying and were able to
score some goals.”
A game that was supposed to be a close one, given the similar records of both teams, turned out to be a
one-sided affair.
After losing a heartbreaker the day before to the Slovaks 4-3, Norway looked insipid while letting the
Latvian squad dominate them on both sides of the puck.
“We didn’t have anything to play for,” said Norwegian forward Morten Rolstad. “It was a good tournament.
We played a couple of good games and a couple of bad games.”
In a penalty-filled first period, Latvia controlled most of the play, outshooting the Norwegians 14-9. Had
it not been for the play of Norwegian goaltender Ruben Smith, the game could have been over in a hurry, as he
kept his team in the period making a couple of key stops.
With Norway shorthanded, Smith came across his crease to rob Latvian forward Kapars Saulietus who was
parked all alone at the side of the net. Moments later, Smith was at it again making a nice toe-save on a
Sergejs Pecura one-timer from low in the slot.
Latvia got on the board in the last minute of the period while on the power play. With Norway’s Martin
Roymark off for holding, Karsums took a breakout pass from Arturs Kulda and skated down the right wing. The
Moncton Wildcats forward let go a slapshot from just outside the face-off circle that Smith thought he had,
but the puck slipped through his five-hole and slowly rolled over the goal line.
The second period saw more of the same from the Latvian squad, and their strong play earned them a pair of
goals.
At 14:45 of the period, Latvia’s Eduards Bullitis converted a backhand pass at the side of net to put his
squad up 2-0.
Latvia went up 3-0 four minutes later when Gints Meija took a pass at the Norwegian blue line and went in
all alone, making a nice backhand move to beat Smith stick side.
Norway’s best chance in the second period came at 12:47, when Joakim Jensen’s shot beat Avotins but rang
off the post the post.
“We didn’t take the chances we got,” said Norwegian Assistant Coach Anders Blegeberg. “We made some good
saves, but we couldn’t deliver on the other possibilities.”
The third period saw a more even match-up, but the Norwegians still couldn’t beat Avotins.
“The whole tournament he played excellent,” said Karsums. “It’s a lot easier when you know you have a
third defenseman behind you.”
Latvia scored its final goal of the game on the power play when Sergejs Pecura tipped home a point shot
with less than three minutes left.
Final shots favoured Latvia 36-22.
Although Norway didn’t manage a win at the 2006 IIHF World Junior Championship, finishing with six losses,
the team seemed proud of its experience in Vancouver.
“I think this was a perfect opportunity for Norwegian hockey,” said Blegberg. “We got to play against some
of the best players, which is something you can learn from.”
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