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Weekend ‘Waul: Florida Panthers Open Forum

Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Florida Panthers defenseman Uvis Balinskis assisted on his team’s first three goals in host Latvia’s 5-1 victory over Ukraine in Group E of Olympic qualifying. Balinskis finished the game with four shots on goal and a plus-one rating while playing on the first defense pair with Markuss Komuls as Latvia upped its record to 2-0 in the group. They will meet undefeated France, who beat Slovenia 5-1, on Sunday with the winner grabbing one of three remaining spots in the 2026 Games in Italy.

In other games on Friday, in Group D, Kazakhstan nipped Austria 2-1; and Slovakia pounded Hungary by a 7-3 count. In Group F, Norway rolled to a 6-2 win over Great Britain; and host Denmark edged Japan 3-2 in overtime with veteran NHLer Lars Eller getting the game-winning goal.

Sunday’s games

Group D

  • Austria (0-2) vs Hungary (0-2)
  • Slovakia (2-0) vs. Kazakhstan (2-0) winner advances to Olympics

Group E

  • Slovenia (0-2) vs Ukraine (0-2)
  • Latvia (2-0) vs. France (2-0) winner advances to Olympics

Group F

  • Great Britain (0-2) vs Japan (0-1-1)
  • Denmark (2-0) vs. Norway (2-0) winner advances to Olympics

Talking Points