Other events in Baltic States

The final roster of the Latvian national men's ice hockey team participating at this year's Ice Hockey World Championships in Stockholm has been announced by the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation, writes LETA.

The Latvian team will be made up of three goalies, eight defensemen and 14 forwards.

The final players cut today was veteran defender Atvars Tribuncovs, and veteran forward Aleksandrs Macijevskis.

It was previously believed that the team would leave one roster spot open for defender Arturs Kulda, who is currently playing in the American Hockey League playoffs.

The Latvian Ice Hockey Federation has given the team the task of qualifying for the quarterfinals.

On Tuesday, more bad news hit the Latvian camp, as veteran forward Girts Ankipans was ruled out due to injury.

In the lead-up to this year's World Championships, some of the national team's potential leaders turned down the opportunity to play for Latvia this year, including forwards Lauris Darzins, Martins Karsums and Raitis Ivanans.

Latvia is in one group at this year's Ice Hockey World Championships together with Russia, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Germany, Norway, Denmark and Italy. These group games will be played in Stockholm.

The second group consists of Finland, Canada, the United States, Switzerland, Slovakia, Belarus, France and Kazakhstan. These group games will be played in Helsinki.

The tournament itself will be played from May 4 to 20.

Latvia will open the tournament this Saturday against Russia.

Latvia finished in a disappointing 13th place at last year's World Championships in Bratislava, and is currently ranked 12th in the IIHF rankings.

The final roster of the Latvian national men's ice hockey team participating at this year's World Championships is as follows:

Goalies – Edgars Masalskis, Maris Jucers, Ervins Mustukovs.

Defensemen – Guntis Galvins, Krisjanis Redlihs, Oskars Cibulskis, Oskars Bartulis, Georgijs Pujacs, Kristaps Sotnieks, Rodrigo Lavins, Janis Andersons.

Forwards – Miks Indrasis, Janis Sprukts, Mikelis Redlihs, Kaspars Daugavins, Aleksejs Sirokovs, Martins Cipulis, Roberts Bukarts, Andris Dzerins, Gints Meija, Armands Berzins, Juris Stals, Kaspars Saulietis, Koba Jass and Ronalds Kenins.