Latvian Goalie Thanks Coach for Challenges That Saved Goals vs. Team USA

Elvis Merzlikins credits video coach for disallowing two American goals in Olympic loss.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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In Latvia's 5-1 loss to the United States in the opening game of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, Latvian goalie Elvis Merzlikins credited his video coach for successfully challenging two American goals that were disallowed. While Latvia was unable to maintain momentum and ultimately lost decisively, Merzlikins acknowledged that the challenges "saved my butt" and kept the game closer than it could have been.

Why it matters

Successful challenges can be crucial in high-stakes Olympic hockey matches, as they can prevent the opposing team from building an insurmountable lead. Merzlikins' comments highlight the importance of strong video review and coaching staff in international competition.

The details

In the first period, the United States took an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Brady Tkachuk. However, Latvia was able to tie the game at 1-1 before the end of the period. In the second period, the U.S. scored three more goals to take a 4-1 lead, prompting Latvia to replace Merzlikins in net. Merzlikins credited his video coach for successfully challenging two of the U.S. goals, which were disallowed, saying "I got lucky I have a good video coach who saved my butt two times."

  • The game was played on Thursday, February 13, 2026.
  • Latvia and the United States faced off in the opening game of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

The players

Elvis Merzlikins

The Latvian goaltender who plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL.

Brady Tkachuk

The American forward who scored the opening goal for Team USA.

Brock Nelson

The American forward who scored two goals for Team USA.

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What they’re saying

“I mean I got lucky, yes. I got lucky with posts and I got lucky I have a good video coach who saved my butt two times. He has a good eye on it and I definitely owe him a dinner.”

— Elvis Merzlikins, Latvian Goaltender (NHL.com)

What’s next

Latvia will look to bounce back when they face Germany on Saturday, February 15th.

The takeaway

While Latvia ultimately fell to a more talented Team USA squad, Merzlikins' comments highlight the importance of strong video review and coaching in international hockey competitions, where small margins can make a big difference.