Other events in Baltic States

The head coach of the Latvian U-20 men's ice hockey team Andrejs Maticins has announced those players who will be participating in the upcoming U-20 Division A Ice Hockey World Championships in Canada.

Team Latvia will be made up of 13 forwards, eight defenders and three goalie, LETA was informed by the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation's (LHF) press secretary Vita Lebedeva.

As reported, during a LHF board meeting yesterday, it was put forward that the goal of the Latvian U-20 men's ice hockey team at the upcoming U-20 Division A Ice Hockey World Championships in Canada is to retain its place in Division A.

Tomorrow, the Latvian squad will fly out to Canada.

The Latvian U-20 team will play two exhibition games before the World Championships – on December 21 against Russia, and on December 23 against Austria.

Maticins said yesterday that there is no need for panic. ''We have chances of remaining in Division A, and we will do everything we can to achieve this goal. We all have been working hard at practice and are all motivated.''

Latvia will play its first game at the World Championships on December 26 against hosts Canada. On December 27 Latvia will play Slovakia, on December 29 Latvia will play the United States, whilst on December 30 Latvia will play Switzerland.

This year's U-20 Division A Ice Hockey World Championships will be played in Canada's Saskatchewan Province. Latvia will play its group games in the city of Saskatoon.

This is the second year in a row, and third time overall, that Latvia has played at the U-20 Division A Ice Hockey World Championships.

The roster of the Latvian team participating at the World Championships is as follows: goalies – Dainis Vasiljevs, Raimonds Ermics, Janis Kalnins; defenders – Alberts Ilisko, Janis Smits, Ralfs Freibergs, Karlis Kalvitis, Rolands Gritans, Martins Jakovlevs, Eriks Sevcenko, Gvido Kauss; forwards – Roberts Bukarts, Rolands Vigners, Raimonds Vilkoits, Gunars Skvorcovs, Arturs Mickevics, Juris Upitis, Miks Indrasis, Elvis Veldze, Miks Lipsbergs, Rolands Kenins, Ronalds Cinks, Edgars Ulescenko, Roberts Mazins.

LETA also reported, at last year's World Championships, Latvia lost its opening Group A game against Russia 1:4, then lost to Slovakia 2:7, was crushed by Sweden 1:10, then lost its final group game to Finland 1:5. However, in the first relegation game, Latvia defeated Germany 7:1, and proceeded to defeat Kazakhstan 7:1 in the second relegation game, thus retaining its place in the Elite Division.

In preparation for this year's tournament, the Latvian U-20 squad played two exhibition games against Poland this past November, winning both games 10:4 and 8:1.

Team Latvia also features Riga ''Dinamo'' forwards Roberts Bukarts and Ronalds Cinks, who have been productive in the playing time they have been given in the Kontinental Ice Hockey League (KHL) this season.