IIHF boss hopes NHL changes its mind on Olympics

League said it will not stop its season to allow players to compete for the first time in 20 years

PARIS (AP) — The NHL has a couple more months to reverse its decision and opt to participate in next year’s Olympics in South Korea.

International Ice Hockey Federation President Rene Fasel said Tuesday his organization is in contact with the National Hockey League Players’ Association two or three times per week, hoping to work out a solution that will bring the sport’s biggest stars to Pyeongchang.

“I would say the latest we can do is end of June, beginning of July, for calendars, schedules, arenas,” Fasel said at a news conference during the world championships. “We will see.”

Fasel, who is Swiss, also said he plans to call NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, but he didn’t seem too enthusiastic about his chances.

“I have a very good relation with Gary. But what can I say? I have nothing to give him,” Fasel said. “I can say ‘Hello, how are you? Great playoffs.’ Just social talk. Maybe I come to New York, we have a steak and go back. This is the way it is.”

Last month, the NHL announced that for the first time in 20 years it will not stop its season to allow players to compete at the Olympics.

“I’m a very positive person so I never give up, and there is still some time where maybe we can convince Gary Bettman to change his opinion,” Fasel said.

The NHL has not decided whether to allow teams to make decisions on a case-by-case basis. It was not immediately clear how the United States, Canada and other countries will fill Olympic rosters, though national federations have already begun planning.

“We played before without the NHL, we will have anyway a great tournament. But it would be so much better with the best players in the world,” Fasel said. “The players want to go, so I really don’t understand.

“But if Gary decides not to go to the Olympics, the fans will not be happy, the players will not be happy, I hope (the) media won’t be happy. The whole world will not be happy.”

Latvia beats Italy 2-1 to stay above Russia

PARIS — Centre Andris Dzerins scored his second goal of the game with a little more than one minute left as Latvia beat Italy 2-1 at the ice hockey world championships on Tuesday to remain top of Group A, ahead of Russia.

Although Russia has also won its three matches so far, it is in second place because one of those wins came after overtime and a shootout. They play each other on Monday, and both still have to face the United States.

Denmark beat Slovakia 4-3 in a shootout in the other Group B match, with Morten Green getting the gamewinning goal. Denmark moved off the bottom and pushed Italy into last place.

In Group B, Ken Andre Olimb help set up the first goal for his older brother Mathis Olimb and got the next one himself as Norway beat Slovenia 5-1 in Paris.

Third-place Norway and Switzerland have six points each — with the Swiss ahead on goal difference and in second spot place behind Canada. The French are in fourth and in contention for the quarter-finals.

In Tuesday night’s other match, Switzerland missed out on a third straight victory after losing 4-3 to France in a shootout.

The Swiss play last-placed Belarus today, and the French face Canada on Thursday.