GDT: Latvia vs Sweden @ 12:30pm PT/ 3:30 ET/ 9:30pm CEST

[Chainshot]

They are missing a coach.

When is he done?

 

[Phil McKraken]

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Big ups to Latvia.

 

[AB13]

When is he done?

Only 2 games to go!

 

[Kalv]

Congrats Sweden! It was nice knowing you, my nerves

 

[Brunkmeister]

They are missing a coach.

At least a coach with a brain.

 

[GKJ]

Is the Latvian program turning the corner? This can't be just because the tournament is missing players and being played in the summer, because they're missing players too. Of course, they had the benefit of bringing the majority of the team that got them in position to take the spot. You can be smart and well-coached to the end of time, you make strides when you have skill, and they seem to have way more skill than any previous Latvian team I've seen

 

[Ippenator]

They are missing a coach.

I share your pain my dear Swedish brother…

 

[Jukurit]

Well.. should be an easy bronze medal for whichever team faces Sweden. They stink.

Finland stinks more!

 

[Namejs]

We needed that one lucky bounce at the end there.

Oh, well.

Anyhow, a great tournament for us and what makes it even better is that most of our leading players will still be available at the next edition in 4 months, so we will remain competitive.

It's nice to see that Latvian philosophy carrying over to the junior level. Brings a tear to my eye.

Tough, relentless and gritty, I guess that's just in our genes.

 

[Statsy]

Finland stinks more!

No, they absolutely don’t.

 

[Ginger Papa]

Congrats Sweden! It was nice knowing you, my nerves

We needed that one lucky bounce at the end there.

Oh, well.

Anyhow, a great tournament for us and what makes it even better is that most of our leading players will still be available at the next edition in 4 months, so we will remain competitive.

It's nice to see that Latvian philosophy carrying over to the junior level. Brings a tear to my eye.

Tough, relentless and gritty, I guess that's just in our genes.

Was cheering hard for you.

Future looking bright & congratulations on a historical effort by your Boys

 

[Jukurit]

No, they absolutely don’t.

Yes, they absolutely do.

 

[Hinterland]

Finland stinks more!

Their goaltending does. But besides, they actually proved to be a dangerous team. Can't say the same about Sweden.

 

[gritdash60]

Lekkerimäki let me down again, but im still not given up on him. He will be the steal of the draft, and a 40-50 goal scorer.

 

[Statsy]

Yes, they absolutely do.

Agree to disagree.

 

[theslatcher]

Anyways, Latvians should be proud: first ever QF and played well throughout the tournament.

 

[Statsy]

Lekkerimäki let me down again, but im still not given up on him. He will be the steal of the draft, and a 40-50 goal scorer.

He’s been a disappointment, but this is just one tournament and he’s still quite young.

 

[Namejs]

Is the Latvian program turning the corner? This can't be just because the tournament is missing players and being played in the summer, because they're missing players too. Of course, they had the benefit of bringing the majority of the team that got them in position to take the spot. You can be smart and well-coached to the end of time, you make strides when you have skill, and they seem to have way more skill than any previous Latvian team I've seen

Yes and no.

Most years we've had mostly decent players and a couple real good ones coupled with some bad ones that don't really belong at this level. And it's impossible to play close games against the top teams when you have 4th liners making 0 iq plays constantly or bottom pairings Ds looking like pylons out there.

So it's more about increased depth and having solid players in all the key positions and being able to ice 25 decent players.

 

[ViD]

@Eye of Ra congrats on this heavy upset win ! Truly surprising that the Swedes made it to the top 4 even if it means they will get destroyed in the next two games

 

[Chainshot]

Only 2 games to go!

As someone who has not enjoyed his coaching for some time, it's about time.

 

[weklof]

I thought Garpenlöv was the worst coach for a Sweden team of all time, but Montén is given him a run for his money for sure

 

[Hockeyfrilla]

Good tournament for Latvia, congratulations

 

[gritdash60]

He’s been a disappointment, but this is just one tournament and he’s still quite young.

He will be one of the best snipers in the NHL.

Edit: unlike Caufiled who is beyond overhyped, Caufield is a 10 goal scorer until he isnt and gets buried.

 

[Ippenator]

Lekkerimäki let me down again, but im still not given up on him. He will be the steal of the draft, and a 40-50 goal scorer.

What is really going on with him? I have watched two games from Sweden in this tournament, and he seemed to be doing a pretty convincing imitation of an invisible man in both of them. Swedish posters here, would be interesting to hear you opinion, why he has had such a quiet tournament? I mean I liked him very much in the U18 tournament in the spring. Now he has looked like a shadow of what he was then.

I thought Garpenlöv was the worst coach for a Sweden team of all time, but Montén is given him a run for his money for sure

That does sound seriously bad, I have to admit.