Latvians a major impact for Majors
Justin Dahan (HV)
The Toronto St. Michaels Majors took on the Erie Otters; this would
be their second game in two nights. The previous game saw Toronto trounce
Erie 6-1. This game featured two Latvian players, Kaspars Daugavins
and Kriss Grundmanis. Daugavins is enjoying a successful season so far,
he has now (after this game) scored 13 points in 11 games, and he has
been killing penalties as well. Grundmanis has been playing solid positional
hockey, he logs a lot of time on the penalty kill, and has recorded
3 assists in 10 games.
Both Daugavins and Grundmanis had strong games for St. Mikes; Daugavins
managed a goal and an assist. He wired a beautiful wrist shot into the
top corner passed goaltender Jeff Dawson on a power play. He also recorded
an assist on a third period goal. He slid the puck to Justin Donati
who jammed in his own rebound. Grundmanis didn’t record any points but
played solid defense and spent a lot of time killing penalties. Toronto
head coach, Bud Stefanski had so much confidence in the young Latvian
he even played him on a 5-3.
Toronto won the game 7-5 with an empty net goal, and Kaspars Daugavins
was named the second star of the game for all his efforts. The first
star was Cassidy Preston of the Toronto St. Michaels Majors who also
recorded one goal and one assist. The third star was from the Erie Otters,
it was Ryan O’Marra who had two goals and one assist. Goalie Wayne Savage
got the win for Toronto ; he stopped 23 of the 28 shots he faced. Ryan
Ludzik got the loss despite playing a solid game in relief of goalie,
Jeff Dawson who was pulled at the 11 second mark of the second period
when the score was 4-0.
Kaspars Daugavins Interview
Justin Dahan: First off I would like to say congratulations on the win
and on your goal and assist.
Kaspars Daugavins: Thank you.
JD: What did you think of the game today?
KD: It was a hard game, because we played yesterday, and we come on
the bus like five hours before and not so much sleeping.
JD: What do you think of playing in Toronto ? Do you enjoy it?
KD: Ya, I like it, first I like to play hockey. I like everything, I
like to play hockey and to not think about anything else. It’s different
because here I just play hockey constantly.
JD: Do you find it hard to play so far from home?
KD: It’s not my first year from home so it’s not so hard.
JD: Are you taking Kriss under your wing a little bit?
KD: We just practice together and I have more conversations with him
but its not like I’m with him all the time.
JD: Growing up who was your idol?
KD: Sergei Zholtok … he was my favorite player.
JD: Thank you very much, good luck the rest of the year.
KD: Thank you.
Kriss Grundmanis Interview
Justin Dahan: I would like to congratulate you on the win. I would like
to know your thoughts of the game today.
Kriss Grundmanis: We played a good game, Wayne (Savage) played well.
Overall it was a good game, good time.
JD: Do you find it hard to play so far away from your home?
KG: No, I’m okay with that, I like it here.
JD: What’s your favorite part about playing in Toronto ?
KG: I really like Canada ; I wanted to be here since I was a kid. I
love hockey, and I like this hockey, its fun.
JD: Growing up which player did you try to emulate the most?
KG: Sandis Ozolinsh, he’s been my idol since I was a kid. I want to
be like him.
JD: Okay Kriss, thanks for your time and good luck the rest of the way.
KG: No problem, thank you.
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