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Team USA Prepares For Battle Against Latvia

05/15/2014, 5:45am EDT
By Brian Pinelli

MINSK, Belarus -- It is back to business for Team USA following a two-day break as it returns to Minsk Arena for a showdown with Latvia today.

Both teams have 2-1 records and are tied for second place in the Group B standings, each having scored ten goals while allowing nine thus far in preliminary round play. 

The U.S. believes that its 6-1 loss to Russia on Monday is now just a distant memory, while the Latvians are coming off a 5-4 win over Kazakhstan on Tuesday.

“It was a good couple of days off to rest up and I think we’re still learning how to build some chemistry, so I think we’ll be better tonight,” said 23-year-old Detroit Red Wings defenseman Danny Dekeyser, who has averaged more than 20-minutes of ice time per game.

Although the Latvians have just two NHL players on their roster – Zemgus Girgensons (Buffalo) and goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis (Tampa Bay) – the team has shown promise in Minsk having opened the tournament with a 3-2 victory over Finland.

“They’re a hard-working team and Ted Nolan is a pretty good coach so it’s going to be a tough game for us,” DeKeyser said. “We know we have to bring some energy.”

“Every time you play Latvia they bring a competitive game and the building is full of energy from their fans, so it usually makes for an exciting hockey game,” said U.S. head coach Peter Laviolette, who is coaching his third U.S. World Championship team, in addition to having led the U.S. at the 2006 Torino Olympics. “

“We have to play a physical game, I think the more physical we play the better we are,” said Nolan, who is head coach of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and has has been at the helm for Latvia since 2011. “They’re a North American style team, we can certainly play that North American style so it should be a physical contest.”

The Latvians have been potent on the power play, converting four of 11 chances (36.35%), tops among nations at the tournament.

Latvia might get a boost from its passionate core of fans, many who have made the trip to Belarus from their neighboring country to the north.

Team USA will receive a substantial boost of support of their own as family members and significant others arrived to Belarus from the U.S. on Tuesday. Red, white and blue and perhaps a few U.S. flags will be on display at Minsk Arena.

In all-time IIHF World Championship action, the U.S. holds an 8-2 advantage over Latvia with one tie. The Red, White and Blue won 4-1 the last time the two nations met last year in preliminary round play.

The puck drops at 4:45 p.m. local time/9:45 a.m. EDT.

Follow Brian on Twitter - @Brian_Pinelli

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