Vītoliņš: I couldn't tell the boys that we wouldn't try to pull out a victory
Latvia's head coach Harijs Vītoliņš expresses determination to fight for victory despite a recent loss to Denmark in the Olympic hockey tournament.
In a post-match reflection, Latvia's men's hockey team head coach Harijs Vītoliņš discussed the strategic decision to replace goaltender Artūrs Šilovs with an extra skater in their match against Denmark. This decision came as the team was trailing 2:3 with only two and a half minutes left in the game. Vītoliņš emphasized the importance of giving the team every opportunity to fight for a win, stating that he couldn’t encourage his players not to try for victory, especially after they had worked hard to turn the game around from an initial 0:3 deficit.
The Latvian national ice hockey team suffered a 2:4 defeat against Denmark in their last group match of the hockey tournament at the Milan and Cortina Olympics. This loss relegated them to fourth place in the group, impacting their standings and potential progression in the competition. Vītoliņš acknowledged the hard work and dedication displayed by his players, asserting that their efforts deserved a fight for victory, even in challenging circumstances.
Despite the loss, the coach remains optimistic and focuses on regrouping and reassessing strategies as they move forward in the tournament. The team's performance exhibited potential, and Vītoliņš aims to harness that resilience in future matches, underlining the importance of maintaining a competitive spirit and striving for success in their Olympic journey.