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Lithuania is looking ahead
Lithuania is looking ahead
Baltic country continues to build on new vision
Last year's host Lithuania and this year's host Netherlands on the puck. Photo: Ruta Mikalkeviciute
The colourful yellow-green-red jerseys were been replaced with a more straight forward red-white design that emphasizes simplicity and strength. It’s just one of the measures taken by the Lithuanians now spearheaded by former NHL star Darius Kasparaitis as President.
Also the attitude within and around the national team seems to have changed under the command of German head coach Bernd Haake. No longer is Lithuania playing only to avoid relegation. Buoyed by massive fan support in Vilnius and the return of Dainius Zubrus, Lithuania surprised with strong performance and capturing a bronze medal.
It has set the bar high for the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I Group B in Eindhoven. The team has to prove last year’s success was not a fluke but really something to build on.
Having had an ageing squad in recent years, Lithuania is in the progress of rejuvenating the squad to make it future proof.
Several veteran players have indicated to stop playing international hockey. Amongst them are the likes of Tomas Vysniauskas (defence, 15 World Championship participations), Sarunas Kuliesius (forward, 17) and Nerijus Dauksevicius (goaltender, 12).
Instead, increased roles are awaiting for promising youngsters like Daniel Bogdziul, Paulius Gintautas and Maruas Baltrukonis.
Currently Bernd Haake has started training sessions with the squad that is not yet complete as a number of key players have yet to finish the season with their respective club teams.
Continue reading“I’m happy with the way the team has been performing so far. Unfortunately we’re still not able to practise with the final roster,” the head coach commented. “Especially defensively I’m still awaiting the moment I can fully slot in several key players like Domantas Cypas, Arturas Katulis and Rolandas Aliukonis.”
Assistant coach and long-time Latvian national team player Aigars Cipruss acknowledges the need and is addressing it. “Getting the defensive pairs in order is my main concern at the moment. I will work intensively with them at this moment,” Cipruss admits. “In general I must say the attitude of the lads is fantastic and they acts as professionals as required when preparing for a tournament like this.”
After the Easter break, Haake expects another group of key players to return home from abroad. This group includes goaltender Mantas Armalis who’s playing in the Swedish top league SHL for Djurgårdens IF and forward Darius Pliskauskas and Donatas Kumeliauskas, who are playing in Great Britain.
There might also be a return in the books of legendary Lithuanian cult figure Egidijus Bauba. The 38-year-old has made a successful return to hockey this year with Norwegian second-tier club Bergen IK and scored 53 points in 34 games, which put him back on the national team radar. Bauba last represented Lithuania in 2011.
Dainius Zubrus will most likely not dress up for Lithuania. The New Jersey Devils forward, who made his Lithuania debut in Eindhoven back in 2005, has hinted that the timing of the tournament does not fit his schedule. Two days before Lithuania’s opening game, the New Jersey Devils will play their final regular-season game against the Florida Panthers.
Other news:
Defenceman Roman Aliapkin has been ruled out for Lithuania. The 21-year-old, who is playing in the Russian junior league and represented the team last year, has missed the whole season due to injury and is not able to play in Eindhoven.
In preparation of the upcoming tournament, Lithuania plays a double header against Belarusian top team Neman Grodno on 8th and 9th April before travelling to Eindhoven.
Five year results and standings window
|
|
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
KOR |
|
|
|
0-3 |
|
|
|
CRO |
7-2 |
|
|
|
|
2-3 |
|
GBR |
|
|
2-5 |
|
|
2-1 |
|
NED |
|
1-4 |
|
1-7 |
3-5 |
4-0 |
|
LTU |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
EST |
|
|
5-2 |
|
12-3 |
|
|
Final Result |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
|
Level |
Div 1 |
Div 1 |
Div. 1 |
Div.1B |
Div.1B |
Div.1B |
|
World Ranking |
23 |
24 |
24 |
25 |
26 |
26 |
Camp Roster:
Goalies: Mantas Armalis , Donatas Zukovas, Simas Baltrunas
Defence: Mindaugas Kieras, Rolandas Aliukonis, Arturas Katulis, Karolis Kublius, Justas Vezelis, Nerijus Alisauskas, Simonas Gorelis, Domantas Cypas, Jaunius Jasinevicius
Forwards: Egidijus Bauba, Dainius Zubrus, Darius Pliskauskas, Dovydas Kulevicius, Arturas Visockas, Donatas Kumeliauskas, Povilas Verenis, Arnoldas Bosas, Edgar Rybakov, Andrejus Zidkovas, Aivaras Bendzius, Aimas Fiscevas, Daniel Bogdziul, Mauras Baltrukonis, Paulius Gintautas, Ugnius Cizas, Danielius Nomanovas
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