A Friendly Fight

 

Justin Dahan (HV)

 

When Kaspars Daugavins fought fellow Latvian Arturs Kulda it bewildered many. After all Daugavins and Kulda are good friends. “We’re good friends back home and we played like 8 years together” Daugavins said about Kulda. So then why fight? “We fought to see who was stronger” said Daugavins. That makes sense but the fight was quite serious. Both players were cut. “We didn’t think we would fight serious but then it was a serious fight” said Daugavins. Even though they fought if you ask Daugavins if Kulda and him are still friends he will reply, “Yeah, of course, we just fight for fun.”

Fellow Latvian and teammate Kris Grundmanis echoed the sentiment that the fight was a fun fight, “I knew about that fight before the game. I found out the day before, Daugavins said during dinner I’m going to fight Kulda tomorrow, so it was more for fun.” Even though Grundmanis understands that the fight was a friendly one. He would not fight a friend, he would only fight if necessary, “I will not fight with my friends. If somebody asked me to fight or jumped me of course I will fight.” He may not partake in activities like that but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t enjoy them, “I really enjoyed that fight.” Grundmanis may have enjoyed it but Daugavins parents were not to happy about the fight. Daugavins said, “My parents said they weren’t happy, they said there’s like 500 Canadian players and you fight with Latvian guy.”

Daugavins was drafted in the 3rd round by the Ottawa Senators in 2006, so it’s no surprise that his best moment this year came playing in the Scotiabank Arena. In Daugavins words his best moment this season was, “A game in Ottawa , when we played in the Senators arena. It was a good game, we won and I had a goal and three assists.” Daugavins hopes to make it to the NHL with Ottawa quickly, “It’s a very long way to go there but I will try my hardest to get there as soon as possible.” Most likely Daugavins will start next season in the AHL with the Binghamton Senators but a few call ups are not out of the question. Daugavins might just surprise a few and make the team straight out of camp.

Earlier in the season Grundmanis was focusing more on improving his offense but that’s not the case anymore, “I work more on defensive skills now, I don’t think about points. I don’t think about scoring goals just no goals against and that would be good.” Grundmanis’ improvement defensively is noticeable. In a 5-1 loss to the Barrie Colts Grundmanis dove across the crease and sacrificed his body to keep the puck out of the net. Grundmanis is aware that there is room for improvement in his game, “I know I can do better” he says. Grundmanis is eligible for the upcoming 2007 draft.

Photo: Kriss Grundmanis (5) and Kaspars Daugavinsh (16) from Toronto St. Michaels Majors. © Justin Dahan (HV)