Matiss Kivlenieks ‘Died A Hero’ Says Teammate Elvis Merzlikins
Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks “died a hero,” said teammate Elvis Merzlikins. “He saved not just many lives, but when it happened, I was standing 20-30 feet back of him, and I was hugging my wife,” Merzlikins said at Kivlenieks’ memorial service Thursday in Upper Arlington, Ohio. “He saved my son, he saved my wife, and he saved me.” Merzlikins’ wife, Aleksandra, is in her third trimester, and Merzlikins said their son’s second name will be Matiss in honor of his teammate. Kivlenieks was living in Ohio with Merzlikins, who called his fellow Latvian player “my little brother.” Bl...