Though we may not do this everyday…we will try our best. Two games today…first up Latvia Vs. Slovakia and Kazakhstan Vs. Germany. Latvia comes off a 4-1 loss to Russia and Germany comes off a humbling 8-2 loss to the USA!
Latvia Vs. Slovakia
Here is the Latvia lineup…….Link-time.
Here is the Slovakia lineup…..Link-time.
Naurus Enkuzens may just be the surprise of the tournament. He stopped 40 of 44 yesterday in a 4-1 loss to Russia but the score could have been 10 or 11-1. Latvia will need that kind of goaltending again today against Slovakia. Slovakia is not as talented as Russia but Latvia is still the underdog. Expect the boys from Slovakia try to fire the puck early and often but Latvia will be able to use its physical backend to its advantage. The question is will it be enough?
Prediction: 3-2 Slovakia….this game could go either way.
Kazakhstan Vs. Germany
Kazakhstan Lineup.
Germany Lineup.
The Germans should be the prohibitive favorite here…..should being the key word. Timo Pielmayer has the talent to backstop the Germans to a win today and I think they have just enough punch with guys like Ritter and Wolf. But we shall see…..Kazahkstan has a lot of unknowns with serious potential in a matchup like this. I am fascinated to see what happens here today.
Prediction: Germany 4-2…just a little much firepower.
See you at the faceoff!!!!!