MILAN, Italy – Latvia’s hockey team completed its first training session at the “Santa Giulia” arena on Saturday, preparing for its opening match against the United States on Thursday at the Olympic Winter Games. Forward Mārtiņš Dzierkals emphasized the team’s readiness to compete against players from the NHL and beyond, stating that the approach remains consistent regardless of opponent.
“The Olympic Games are a very prestigious tournament that everyone always wants to play in. In everyday life, I get to play with and against NHL players anyway. I’m still trying to do the same job, and I don’t care if the player opposite me is from the NHL or not, they’ll get the same treatment, boards just the same. It will be a high level and very beautiful hockey. Let’s enjoy it, and hopefully, we can give our fans something to enjoy as well.”
Dzierkals described the initial practice as a necessary re-acclimation after a day off the ice. “We checked the ice at the large arena. It was a tough practice because we hadn’t skated yesterday. Usually, when you take a day off the ice, you have to get your body back into a sporting rhythm, feel the ice, but everything is okay,” he said.
The Latvian forward noted an adjustment will be needed to the smaller ice surface. “All the arenas are more or less similar, but the ice is very small. You immediately feel that on the ice, I haven’t played on such a small surface in a while. We’ll have to get used to it,” Dzierkals explained. He added that adapting to the reduced space requires simply spending more time on the ice.
“There’s less space in the corners, I’m not used to that. We’ve played hockey our whole lives and often do things on a feel level. You turn and know the boards are there, but this time a meter has been taken away, and you have to adjust a little,” he continued.
Dzierkals also reflected on the opening ceremony at the “San Siro” stadium on Friday, where the Latvian hockey team participated. He described the experience as emotionally impactful.
“This is my second time, and I knew what to expect, so I was able to enjoy it a little more, but it was very impressive. A full stadium, ovations, emotions, and everyone is watching. It’s still the biggest event in the world, all the main people have arrived or are watching. The emotions were very high. I appreciate having the opportunity to experience it. We’ve worked our whole lives to be here, so this is the fruit of hard work.”
Having also competed for Latvia at the Beijing Olympics, Dzierkals highlighted the difference in atmosphere this year, free from the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. “We were also in China, where everything was quite strict, it was also a year of restrictions. The festive spirit was a little different, and it’s different here, it’s Italy,” he said.
However, Dzierkals emphasized that the team’s primary focus remains on competition. “Our main task is still ahead, that is our main focus. We’re not here just to enjoy the Olympics, we’re here to work and win,” he stated.
This season, Dzierkals has been a busy player, competing with HC Sparta Praha in the Czech Extraliga, as well as participating in the IIHF Champions League and the Spengler Cup. He acknowledged that this is one of the most demanding seasons of his career. “All the tournaments with the club, and I also came to all the national team games. While my team was resting, I had to go play in the national team breaks, and now most people are on vacation,” he explained.
“It’s a season full of games for me. Prague is a very beautiful city and a place to play. ‘Sparta’ is a very professional club, about which I can only say positive things,” Dzierkals added. He embraces the demanding schedule as part of his profession. “That’s my job, and I’m used to it. I’m a professional and know what to expect, so I just go and do my job. Sometimes there are more practices, sometimes more games. Now it’s turned out that there are more games to prepare for, and training is a little bit second priority,” he said.
In his first season with Sparta, Dzierkals has recorded seven goals and eight assists in 44 Czech Extraliga games.
“Hockey is interesting – sometimes seasons go well, sometimes they don’t. This is a very productive season, and it’s especially successful in the international tournaments, the Spengler Cup and the Champions League. The goals are going in, and I’m happy about that.”
Initially, Dzierkals was assigned a role as a penalty-killing specialist by his club, but as he accumulated points, the coaching staff has shown increased trust and allowed him to take on more prominent roles. He stated that he is unsure what role he will play within the Latvian national team lineup. “I’ll do what they tell me to do, that’s the kind of player I am. I do what I’m told, being here on the Latvian national team is an honor, so I don’t care what they tell me to do, because I’ll do it to the best of my ability,” he said.
The Olympic Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo will continue through .
