Latvia creates a lot of problems for team Sweden but loses at the WJC (U18)

Both teams used the backup goalie in this game: Elvis Merzlikins and Oskar Dansk took a rest this night in Znojmo. Team Sweden faced with a big pressure from team Latvia in the beginning. Latvian captain Nikita Jevpalovs was close to open the scoring, but didn’t beat the puck after a nice pass on a breakaway.



Sweden head coach Rikard Grönborg needed to take a time-out in the first 6 minutes of the game. Latvia was satisfied that they make the Swedes nervous.



Swedes leveled the game and the big penalty of Daniels Riekstins could help them, Riekstins beat forward Erik Karlsson with his stick.



But the score changed only in the second when Mattias Kalin beat Ivars Punnenovs with an accurate wrist shot. During the second Sweden outshot Latvia 21-8 and was close to score more and more, but Punnenovs played well. Latvia tied the game with Ricards Kondrats great sole move. A minute later Teodors Blugers got a penalty and Filip Forsberg pulled his team ahead again. In the end of the game Latvia got a chance to play in PP, they pulled their goalie but couldn’t tie the game again. As a result Elias Lindholm sent the puck to an empty-net and closed game 3-1 for Team Sweden.

 

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