Ločmelis and Ravinskis start AHL season with losses

Both Latvian representatives in the American Hockey League (AHL) had a difficult start to the new season in their opening games.

Providence Bruins fall at home

The Providence Bruins lost 1:2 at home to the Utica Comets. The visitors took the lead early in the first period when Gage Clarke scored after receiving a pass right in front of the net. Late in the second period, Ben Steeves extended Utica's advantage to 2:0.

In the third period, Providence managed to cut the deficit when Ivan Ivan's pass set up Gonse on a breakaway against the goaltender, with the forward beating the netminder between the pads for 1:2. Despite the push, the home team could not find an equalizer in the time remaining.

Providence goaltender Jiří Patera stopped 22 of 24 shots, while the Bruins fired 21 shots at the Comets' net. The home side failed to convert any of their four power-play chances, but successfully killed off both Utica power plays.

Latvian defenseman Dans Ločmelis registered one shot on goal and finished the game with a minus-one plus/minus rating.

Calgary defeats Abbotsford

Meanwhile, the Calgary Wranglers beat the Abbotsford Canucks 4:2. The home team built a 2:0 lead already in the first period thanks to goals from Jonathan Castagna and Tyson Gross, before Mike Benning made it 3:0 early in the second period.

Abbotsford narrowed the gap to 2:3 with goals from Tyler Miller and Jimmy Schuldt, but Castagna scored his second goal of the game into an empty net 93 seconds before the end of regulation, securing Calgary's win.

Latvian forward Anrī Ravinskis received a two-minute penalty for slashing in the first period and ended the game with a minus-one plus/minus rating.