GDT: Group A - May 9 - Italy (1) vs Latvia (2)

[stv11]

2017 IIHF World Championship
Group A

May 9
10:15 AM ET • 4:15 PM CET

Italy
Confirmed lineup

Left Wing​

|

Center​

|

Right Wing​

10 Giulio Scandella​

|

16 Giovanni Morini​

|

21 Luca Frigo​

| -

8 Marco Insam​

|

18 Anton Bernard "C"​

|

90 Tommaso Traversa​

| -

23 Simon Kostner​

|

19 Raphael Andergassen​

|

22 Diego Kostner "A"​

| -

63 Alex Lambacher​

|

58 Tommaso Goi​

|

57 Markus Gander​

| -

Left Defense​

|

Right Defense​

27 Thomas Larkin​

|

55 Luca Zanatta​

| -

9 Armin Hofer​

|

26 Armin Helfer "A"​

| -

17 Alexander Egger​

|

25 Stefano Marchetti​

| -

15 Enrico Miglioranzi​

|

28 Daniel Glira​

| -

Starter​

|

Backup​

1 Andreas Bernard​

|

29 Frederic Cloutier​

| -

Scratched​

|

Details​

G 35 Gianluca Vallini​

|

Healthy​

| -

F 71 Daniel Frank​

|

Healthy​

| -

Latvia
Confirmed lineup

Left Wing​

|

Center​

|

Right Wing​

71 Roberts Bukarts​

|

25 Andris Dzerins​

|

16 Kaspars Daugavins "C"​

| -

14 Rihards Bukarts​

|

5 Janis Sprukts "A"​

|

70 Miks Indrasis​

| -

13 Gunars Skvorcovs​

|

28 Zemgus Girgensons​

|

91 Ronalds Kenins​

| -

87 Gints Meija​

|

96 Maris Bicevskis​

|

99 Teodors Blugers​

| -

79 Vitaljis Pavlovs​

|

-​

|

-​

| -

Left Defense​

|

Right Defense​

11 Kristaps Sotnieks "A"​

|

32 Arturs Kulda "A"​

| -

58 Guntis Galvins​

|

27 Oskars Cibulskis​

| -

26 Uvis Janis Balinskis​

|

29 Ralfs Freibergs​

| -

4 Kristofers Bindulis​

|

-​

| -

Starter​

|

Backup​

30 Elvis Merzlikins​

|

74 Ivars Punnenovs​

| -

Scratched​

|

Details​

G 98 Janis Kalnins​

|

Healthy​

| -

D 72 Janis Jaks​

|

Healthy​

| -

F 41 Frenks Razgals​

|

Healthy​

| -

Game Officials​

|

Referee​

|

Brett Iverson | -

Referee​

|

Tobias Wehrli | -

Linesman​

|

Ivan Dedioulia | -

Linesman​

|

Alexander Otmakhov | -

Click to read more...

 

[BalticWarrior]

We have to come out strong in this game , Italy alrady proved they are no pushovers against Slovakia, we need these 3pts dont care how just get er done!

 

[Iceman]

Battle of the behemoths.

 

[Hinterland]

Merzlikins again? This could be an opportunity to play Kalnins or Punnenovs. Two pretty good goalies in their own right.

 

[ozo]

Merzlikins again? This could be an opportunity to play Kalnins or Punnenovs. Two pretty good goalies in their own right.

Kalnins is not that good, don't let his numbers fool you. Merzlikins must paly every game that matters, would not mind him play every minute of the tournament.

 

[Marky1999]

In my opinion Latvia should start Punnenovs. We need Elvis to get some rest before playing the big teams. Come on LV, let's get the 3 points!!!

 

[SoundAndFury]

I think the common sense tells to start Elvis in every game that matters and if he needs rest throw Punnenovs to the lions against Russia, Sweden or USA. There are 3 points on the line against Italy. Against Russia or Sweden, Elvis or no Elvis, there is like 10% chance Latvia gets a single point.

 

[Hinterland]

I think the common sense tells to start Elvis in every game that matters and if he needs rest throw Punnenovs to the lions against Russia, Sweden or USA. There are 3 points on the line against Italy. Against Russia or Sweden, Elvis or no Elvis, there is like 10% chance Latvia gets a single point.

10% against Sweden? I'm not so sure. They have terrible goalies and looking at their forward group I haven't seen worse in a decade. I actually feel quite sorry they even have to play guys like Lundqvist, Ek or Klingberg. Many of their better forwards are pure shutdown forward with little offensive upside. Of course...they may have the best defense of the tournament but that alone wouldn't scare me enough to rest Merzlikins.

I just think that this Latvian Team is underrated and the Goalie trio is one of the best of all teams. Many teams, including Italy, would be happy to play either Kalnins or Punnenovs at any time.

 

[Urbanskog]

10% against Sweden? I'm not so sure. They have terrible goalies and looking at their forward group I haven't seen worse in a decade. I actually feel quite sorry they even have to play guys like Lundqvist, Ek or Klingberg. Many of their better forwards are pure shutdown forward with little offensive upside. Of course...they may have the best defense of the tournament but that alone wouldn't scare me enough to rest Merzlikins.

I just think that this Latvian Team is underrated and the Goalie trio is one of the best of all teams. Many teams, including Italy, would be happy to play either Kalnins or Punnenovs at any time.

Italy? Goaltending is Italy's strongest area.

 

[ozo]

Italy? Goaltending is Italy's strongest area.

And that's the only part of his post that seems far fetched?

 

[Hinterland]

Italy? Goaltending is Italy's strongest area.

I like Bernard...do I think he's much better than Kalnins or Punnenovs? Probably not.

 

[BalticWarrior]

Im done... im ****ing done. Dod our guys go on ****ing bender during that off day?

 

[JohnWillow]

Two crucial mistakes for Latvia and one of them Italia converts. Was that the same guy for Latvia who made those two mistakes in like 15 seconds?

 

[BalticWarrior]

****ing pathetic...

 

[tobu]

If Italy somehow manages to win this today, Slovakia could have its relegation fate sealed after tonight. Lol

 

[Hinterland]

Finally after almost 10mins the Latvians start to play. Just a shame they totally missed the start. Was hoping for a shutout today...

 

[BalticWarrior]

Finally after almost 10mins the Latvians start to play. Just a shame they totally missed the start. Was hoping for a shutout today...

Its the Latvian loser mentality...cant handle the preassure.

 

[ozo]

Its the Latvian loser mentality...cant handle the preassure.

You can't handle even going a goal down on great shot with whole game yet to play.

 

[Hinterland]

Its the Latvian loser mentality...cant handle the preassure.

Well, I'm pretty sure they aren't gonna lose this one. They had that they won't lose this one. They finally established extended offensive zone time, gor the PP shortly after and tied the game. All good. I'm just pissed Merzlikins had to let one in...anothe shutout would have helped my fantasy team a lot

 

[BalticWarrior]

You can't handle even going a goal down on great shot with whole game yet to play.

That shouldnt even have happened. ****ing sotnieks

 

[Hinterland]

You can't handle even going a goal down on great shot with whole game yet to play.

Easy easy. The goal or the shot aren't the problem. It's the way they started. That was beyond terrible. Also...it was a great shot but you usually don't score like that vs Merzlikins.

 

[RobertR]

This WC has been going quite well for us so far, a few lucky breaks..

 

[BalticWarrior]

Sotnieks needs to be benched what a pylon he is in this game.

 

[RobertR]

speaking about loser mentality..

It would be the most Latvian at WC thing ever, if we lose today..

How many times did we won against even stronger opps at the beginning of the tourney, and then lost to some inferior teams..

 

[BalticWarrior]

speaking about loser mentality..

It would be the most Latvian at WC thing ever, if we lose today..

How many times did we won against even stronger opps at the beginning of the tourney, and then lost to some inferior teams..

Changing the coach has not changed a damn thing appearently...