Ice hockey, Stian Solberg | Stian Solberg gave the national ice hockey team a 1-0 victory over Latvia in extra time

Stian Solberg won the puck, went from his own half and gave Norway’s national ice hockey team a 1-0 victory over Latvia after 37 seconds in extra time on Friday.

It happened after three goalless periods in Riga.

The Norwegian team went straight for the bronze winner from last year’s WC and dominated the first period. Norway won the shot statistics in the first 20 minutes 13-2, and the super talent Michael Brandsegg-Nygård had two hits on the post.

The Mora player is highly sought after and in June could become the first Norwegian player selected in the first round of the NHL draft.

The Latvians appeared in a tame version in front of their own supporters, but at the end of the period they showed up with a couple of fights, and Janis Jaks and Christian Kåsastul had to start the middle period in the penalty box after their settlement.

Under pressure

Latvia appeared significantly fresher in that period, and at times Norway’s goal was under pressure, without goalkeeper Jonas Arntzen being put to many great tests. Latvia won the shot statistics in the period 8-5, but there were no scores then either.

Towards the end of the period, Norway had the opportunity in the lead after the home team was penalized for a wrong substitution, but gave up the advantage when Andreas Martinsen knocked the club out of the hands of an opponent and he was also sent off.

There were sparks between the teams again in the last period when Latvia’s captain Kaspars Daugavins was down after a duel with Martinsen.

Big chances

Mathias Trettenes had two great chances in a Norwegian game midway through the last period. The first time he shot over, then he tried to find a teammate even though he was quite alone in front of goal.

Barely three minutes before the end, Eirik Salsten went from behind his own goal, got past four opponents and was alone with the goalkeeper, but was unable to outwit Elvis Marzlikins.

Latvia won the shot statistics in the 3rd period 10-4, but normal time ran out without scores. In extra time, it took only seconds before Solberg got the puck into the goal.

The teams meet again on Saturday in the dress rehearsal before the elite WC. On Monday, national team manager Tobias Johansson will announce the squad for the championship in the Czech Republic. Norway plays its first match against Switzerland on Friday 10 May.

(© NTB)