The head coach of the Latvia U20 national ice hockey team, Artis Abols, stated after the team reached the quarterfinals of the World Championship that this time the opponent was weaker, but the burden of responsibility was significantly higher, reports tv3.
In the early hours of Wednesday Latvian time in Minneapolis (USA), in the third match of the group stage of the World Junior Championship, the Latvia U20 team defeated Denmark 6:3 and advanced to the quarterfinals.
"This time the opponent was of a lower class, but the responsibility was much greater. It is encouraging that there were leaders on the ice, the power play worked, and we took the first step towards the quarterfinals.
From the outside, it may have looked very simple, but we patiently waited for the moment when the Danes would give their all. All the leaders were visible — and that helped a lot.
This is the World Championship! If you want to move forward, you cannot settle for less!" said Abols.
In the first match, the Latvian hockey players lost to Canada in overtime 1:2, and in the second, they suffered a defeat against Finland 0:8. The Danes, in turn, lost to the Finns 2:6, to the Czechs 2:7, and were crushed by the Canadians 1:9.
In the final match of the group stage, the Latvia team will face the Czech Republic on Wednesday.
