Good start for Latvia's Olympic hockey hopes

Take note – story published 8 years and 2 months ago

Latvia's hopes of qualifying for the ice hockey tournament at the next Winter Olympic games took a step forward Thursday with a convincing start to the qualification tournament in Riga. 

In the opening match of the Olympic qualification tournament, the Latvian national men's ice hockey team thumped Austria 8:1.

Kaspars Daugavins scored two goals for Latvia, with Andris Dzerins, Roberts Bukarts, Ronalds Kenins, Miks Indrasis, Martins Dzierkals and Rodrigo Abols scoring a goal a piece for the home side.

In the other group match earlier in the day, Germany defeated Japan 5:0.

Latvia will play its next match Friday against Japan and its final match of the qualification tournament on Sunday against Germany.

Only the winner of the qualification tournament will qualify for the 2018 Winter Olympics, with Germany likely to be the main rivals.

Latvia has qualified for the past four Winter Olympics, with its best performance in Sochi at the 2014 Games - 8th.

The 2018 Winter Olympic will take place in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Despite finishing the recent Rio Olympics without a medal, Latvia traditionally fares better at the winter edition of the games.

Watch the game in full HERE.

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