Team Latvia managed to upset the German team this morning in a 4-3 contest thanks to some AHL stars, including a  third period goal from current Grand Rapids Griffins forward Eduards Tralmaks. With the upset, the Latvia men’s team secured their first team win in Group C of the Olympic gold medal tournament. The Germans had been heavy favorites with roster that included several NHLers, including Red Wings defensive stalwart Mo Seider.

 

Time On Ice

Tralmaks stayed on Latvia’s top line for today’s game, finishing with just under 19 minutes of ice time at 18:46 time on ice, including time on the penalty kill. Tralmaks and linemate Vilmanis Sandis made a much greater impact in today’s game than they did in Latvia’s first contest against Team USA and were able to stay in the contest for longer.

 

Production

Tralmaks secured his first goal of the Olympic tournament in Milan. Coming off the penalty kill, Tralmaks was able to field a pass from Zemgus Girgensons and carry it up ice, unloading a wrister that got past Philipp Grubauer. The goal would give Latvia the lead at 3-2 before the final score of 4-3. If not for the Germans pulling their goalie for the extra man, it may well have been the game deciding goal. The former University of Maine product finished with a +1 rating.

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Game Note

Team Germany was heavily favored to win this matchup, as they had only lost once to Team Latvia in international play in the modern century. Boston Bruins prospect Dans Locmelis scored two of Latvia’s goals to secure the win. Of the seven goals scored in game, half were scored by AHL players.

 

Analysis

Tralmaks and the Latvian team were able to surprise the Germans with their physicality and by scoring on the rare opportunities that showed through the German defense. Despite being down in the scorebox by the end of the first, Latvia had outshot Germany 11-7, and they made sure to keep that pressure on throughout the game.

 

Next Game

Team Latvia and Tralmaks take on Denmark, who the Germans beat in the first round of Group C play. The game begins at 1:10 P.M. Eastern on February 15.

 

P.S.

Some of you may have noticed a mistake from the last Olympic update in which I (the author) had misread and then switched Tralmaks’ assist and goal scoring stat-line in the AHL when writing- That mistake has been corrected.