Daugavins keeps piling up points
Justin Dahan (HV)
Kaspars Daugavins and the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors took on the
Kitchener Rangers in Kitchener on October 20th. Both the Majors and
the Rangers are at opposite situations as of now. The Rangers had lost
their last two games while St. Mikes had won their past three games.
Both teams would extend their streaks, as St. Mikes beat the Rangers,
6-3 with an empty netter.
Justin Donati opened the scoring after converting a cross crease pass
from Matt Piva passed Kitchener goalie, John Murray. Kaspars Daugavins
also drew an assist on the play. The goal was scored on the power play.
St. Mikes took a two nothing lead only 7 seconds later; Matt Caria found
himself alone in the slot with the puck and blasted it past Murray ,
it was also a power play goal. After this goal Rangers coach, Peter
DeBoer, pulled Murray in favor of Mark Packwood. The Rangers were able
to cut the lead in half with a power play goal of their own. Victor
Oreskovich tipped a Jakub Kindl point shot past Wayne Savage, Mike Duco
also picked up an assist. Daugvanis picked up his second assist of the
game when he sprung Matt Piva and Justin Donati on a two on one. Donati
notched his second of the game when he unleashed a strong wrist shot
from the middle of the circle at the side of the net, which beat Mark
Packwood. Matt Caria picked up his second of the game when he got behind
the Rangers defense and waited for Packwood to over commit before making
a nice move and sliding the puck in. Michael Haley and former Kitchener
Ranger Michael Pelech picked up the assists. The Rangers battled back,
Jean-Michel Rizk snapped a shot from the top of the circle past Savage.
St. Mikes had a little trouble after this, they didn’t only have to
deal with a resurgence of the Kitchener Rangers, they also had to deal
with injury problems. Both Troy Murray and Matt McCready had to leave
the game after being hit. They were both defensemen so it left a huge
hole for St. Mikes to fill for the rest of the game. Matt Halischuk
was able to get behind the tired St. Mikes defense and slid the puck
in the net. Donati topped off his hat trick with a important insurance
goal for St. Mikes. He got a beautiful pass from Daugavins who was able
to pass the puck passed two Rangers defenders. Donati shot the puck
from the top of the circle and it trickled through Packwood’s pads.
Matt Caria added an empty netter to seal St. Mike’s fourth straight
victory.
Kaspars Daugavins had a very strong game, he picked up three assists.
He also had two excellent chances against Mark Packwood, who robbed
him. Daugavins now has 19 points in 13 games.
Kriss Grundmanis Interview
Justin Dahan: Are you satisfied with your teams performance so far this
year?
Kriss Grundmanis: Yes, we have won four games in a row.
Justin Dahan: What about your performance so far?
Kriss Grundmanis: I’m not very happy with it, it could be better.
Justin Dahan: What do you think you need to improve on?
Kriss Grundmanis: I have to work on my defense, and I must score some
goals.
Justin Dahan: What is the hardest part about adapting to the North American
style of play?
Kriss Grundmanis: I don’t really have a problem with it.
Justin Dahan: Do you find there’s a big difference?
Kriss Grundmanis: Yes, there is a big difference.
Justin Dahan: What’s the biggest difference?
Kriss Grundmanis: Everything really, its just different being here.
Justin Dahan: How have you been interacting with the Toronto Latvian
community?
Kriss Grundmanis: Saturday we had a big meeting, we signed autographs
and answered a couple questions.
Justin Dahan: Do you know if anyone in other Canadian cites are cheering
for you?
Kriss Grundmanis: I don’t know, I don’t think so.
Justin Dahan: Thank you very much.
Kriss Grundmanis: No problem.
Kaspars Daugavins Interview
Justin Dahan: Are you happy with the way the team is playing so far?
Kaspars Daugavins: Yes, we have been playing very good hockey. We were
3-6 but now were 7-6 so everyone is happy.
Justin Dahan: What about your performance? Are you happy with it so
far?
Kaspars Daugavins: I just do my job, I don’t think about scoring. The
coach tells everybody to concentrate on the game and so we try hard
and the points just come.
Justin Dahan: What is the hardest part of adapting to the North American
style of play for you?
Kaspars Daugavins: Hardest? I don’t know everywhere now hockey is the
same, the only difference is that here players are much bigger and so
the game is tough, and it’s faster a little bit.
Justin Dahan: How have you been interacting with the Latvian community
in Toronto ?
Kaspars Daugavins: They’re big fans, not only here but all over where
there are Latvian players.
Justin Dahan: Do you have any fans cheering for you in other Canadian
cities?
Kaspars Daugavins: I think so, I never spoke with them but I saw today
a couple people with Latvian National team jerseys so maybe they came
to watch me.
Justin Dahan: If you could give advice to a young hockey player what
would you say?
Kaspars Daugavins: I think that you should want to play hockey, and
not just to do it because your mother or father did it, you need to
want it very very much.
Justin Dahan: Thank you.
Kaspars Daugavins: No problem.
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