Latvia is set to rely on experienced goaltender Elvis Merzļikins in their Olympic men’s hockey opener against the United States. This marks Merzļikins’ Olympic debut and comes after a notable international career. Latvian reporter Ulvis Brože was the first to report this development.
Elvis Merzļikins: A Key Player for Latvia
Elvis Merzļikins, hailing from Riga, Latvia, has been an important figure in Latvan’s national team for years. His international career began in 2010 with U-17 competitions. Although he has not played for the national team since the 2014 World Championship, his experience will be crucial in the forthcoming Olympic match.
World Championship Track Record
Merzļikins boasts a World Championship record of 13 wins and 17 losses, accompanied by a .907 save percentage. His outstanding performance in 2018 involved a 4-2 record, two shutouts, and a remarkable .940 save percentage, allowing only nine goals in six games. These achievements have made him a reliable choice for Latvia’s Olympic campaign.
Current NHL Performance
In the NHL, Merzļikins plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets. This season, he holds an 11-8-1 record with a .888 save percentage. Recently, he demonstrated his skills with a 24-save shutout against the New Jersey Devils on February 3, contributing to a 5-1-0 record over his past six games.
Competition Overview
Merzļikins will start against Artūrs Šilovs, who has an 11-7-8 record with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Latvia’s team is looking to build on their success from the 2023 World Championship, where they won their first-ever bronze medal, with Merzļikins receiving both top goaltender and MVP honors.
Historic Matchups Against the USA
- Last victory against the USA was in the 2023 World Championship.
- Prior win before 2023 was in 2014, with Kristers Gudlevskis as goaltender.
- The USA won their only Olympic meeting in 2006, defeating Latvia 3-2.
For the United States, Connor Hellebuyck is set to start, marking his Olympic debut as well. The upcoming match promises to be a fierce competition, featuring skilled players from both nations. Latvia will also face Germany and Denmark in upcoming round-robin games.
El-Balad will continue to cover the action, providing updates on the teams and players as they vie for Olympic glory in hockey.
