Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Latvia eager to move ahead, give Canada all they’ve got

Sochi Olympics Ice Hockey Men

Latvia forward Lauris Darzinsm, center, celebrates with teammates after Latvia beat Switzerland 3-1 to advance to the quarterfinals of the men’s ice hockey tournament at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Julio Cortez

If you think Latvia will spend the night celebrating their 3-1 upset victory against Switzerland, think again.

Latvia won’t get time to relax as they’ll face Canada on Wednesday and as their players told Olympic News Service, they’re focused and know they’ll give it all they’ve got against the defending gold medalists.

“I won’t shout out that we will beat Canada, but we’ll try,” said goalie Edgars Masalskis. “We’ll do all that we can to give them a tough battle.

“It’s a game, hockey. The game starts at 0-0. Who knows? Maybe we’ll beat them. Of course, we’ll try. We want to battle for medals. In principle, there’s only two games left to win.”

Expectations outside of Latvia for the Latvian team were low headed into the Olympics. Seeing them in the quarterfinals and a win away from having a shot at a medal exceeds most everyone’s expectations. Don’t count on them resting their laurels on beating the Swiss, however.

“It’s tomorrow already,” said defenseman Oskars Bartulis. “We have to forget this game as soon as possible.”

That’s a good way to move ahead. While their chances against Canada may not be great, don’t tell that to the Latvians.

“Everybody has a chance. Chances, chances!” said forward Janis Sprukts. “Canadians also play hockey and we play hockey and, if we play as a team, there will be a chance.”

Anything goes in a single-elimination tournament.

Follow @JoeYerdonPHT