In short, we have a pretty solid group of players this time around, very much like last year. Well, at least for Latvian standards.
I expect us to have a fighting chance against Germany who don't seem to have any really outstanding players at all. Maybe other than Kechter. And not spectacular depth either.
The goal should be to make the quarters.
Overall, I'm quite confident in our scoring ability, of our top 6 forwards and top 3-4 Ds.
Our D depth and our goalies are a bit of a question mark, although Feldbergs (G) did look very solid against the Polish/Estonian/Lithuanian senior national teams a few days ago, where our U20 B team managed to beat Lithuania and Estonia men's teams which I guess highlights the massive difference in skill level between the different world hockey tiers. Also, Vutkevics and Stradnieks pretty much made the roster during those 3 games.
Locmelis was the cinderella story within the cinderella story during our bronze run and he will be leading this team.
And that top line should be able to generate some good looks against every team in this tournament.
Since we do not have much depth, I would prefer to be a little daring and invite some of the leading U18 kids. And, yes, I am itching to see how one of the most promising Latvian prospects in recent history Olivers Murnieks ('08) would fare against this kind of opposition. You will be hearing his name a lot from me going forward, by the way.
Bruno Osmanis also made his debut at Allsvenskan at the ripe age of 16 earlier this season and I cannot see how any of our other alternatives for the 13F spot would be better. Even if we're being pragmatic and not giving any extra credit for their ceiling.
Will Abols actually invite the two to the camp? Probably not.
Anyhow, my take:
Vilmanis - Locmelis - Mateiko
Vutkevics - Bukarts - Veckaktins
Darzins - Rullers - Stradnieks
Ansons - Murnieks - Ozollapa
Cabulis, Osmanis
Fenenko - Bulans
Uljanskis - Laskovs
Kurbaka - Retenais
Feldbergs
Ozols
Rolovs
I expect us to have a fighting chance against Germany who don't seem to have any really outstanding players at all. Maybe other than Kechter. And not spectacular depth either.
The goal should be to make the quarters.
Overall, I'm quite confident in our scoring ability, of our top 6 forwards and top 3-4 Ds.
Our D depth and our goalies are a bit of a question mark, although Feldbergs (G) did look very solid against the Polish/Estonian/Lithuanian senior national teams a few days ago, where our U20 B team managed to beat Lithuania and Estonia men's teams which I guess highlights the massive difference in skill level between the different world hockey tiers. Also, Vutkevics and Stradnieks pretty much made the roster during those 3 games.
Locmelis was the cinderella story within the cinderella story during our bronze run and he will be leading this team.
And that top line should be able to generate some good looks against every team in this tournament.
Since we do not have much depth, I would prefer to be a little daring and invite some of the leading U18 kids. And, yes, I am itching to see how one of the most promising Latvian prospects in recent history Olivers Murnieks ('08) would fare against this kind of opposition. You will be hearing his name a lot from me going forward, by the way.
Bruno Osmanis also made his debut at Allsvenskan at the ripe age of 16 earlier this season and I cannot see how any of our other alternatives for the 13F spot would be better. Even if we're being pragmatic and not giving any extra credit for their ceiling.
Will Abols actually invite the two to the camp? Probably not.
Anyhow, my take:
Vilmanis - Locmelis - Mateiko
Vutkevics - Bukarts - Veckaktins
Darzins - Rullers - Stradnieks
Ansons - Murnieks - Ozollapa
Cabulis, Osmanis
Fenenko - Bulans
Uljanskis - Laskovs
Kurbaka - Retenais
Feldbergs
Ozols
Rolovs