Grigals and Batna help their clubs to wins in Finland's top hockey league
Latvian players Gustavs Davis Grigals and Oskars Batna helped their teams win Finnish top-league games on Saturday. Grigals stopped 19 of 20 shots, while Batna provided an assist.
Two clubs with Latvian players, goaltender Gustavs Davis Grigals and forward Oskars Batna, won their ice hockey games in Finland's top domestic league on Saturday. Both players contributed to their teams' results.
Grigals stops 19 shots
Lappeenranta's SaiPa, Grigals' club, won 3-1 away against Vaasa's Sport. The Latvian goaltender saved 19 of the 20 shots he faced, helping his team to another victory.
SaiPa currently sits highest in the league table among the teams with Latvian players. The club is first with 34 points after 16 games.
Batna's assist helps force extra time
Batna's club, Lahti Pelicans, beat Tampere's Tappara 5-4 in a shootout. Tappara won the Finnish championship last season. The Latvian forward set up Markus Nutivaara in the 56th minute, and Nutivaara levelled the score at 4-4, keeping his team in contention for the win.
Batna spent 17 minutes and 24 seconds on the ice. He took four shots on goal and won six of 11 faceoffs.
Other clubs with Latvian players
HPK of Hameenlinna, the club of Arturs Andzans, lost 6-3 at home to Helsinki's HIFK. Helsinki's Jokerit won 6-3 away against Kouvola's KooKoo. Mikus Tumanovs was not on Jokerit's game roster for that match.
