Latvia promoted to the 2012 World Juniors

19 Dec 2010 | Henrik Lundqvist

Latvia and Belarus met before 7,000 fans in a decisive game of the WJC Division I in the Bobruisk Arena. The winner would promote to the World Juniors elite division. Belarus took an early lead but the Latvian team fought back. Edgars Dikis, Bruno Zabis and Juris Upitis scored to get Latvia up to the highest level of international junior hockey.

Both Latvia and Belarus came to the final games with four wins. Belarus had the home advantage but once again Latvias excellent defense was a key to victory. In the five games Latvia only allowed a total of three goals. Janis Kalnins earned two shut-outs and saved 78 out of 80 shots in the four games he played but that wasn't enough to be awarded Best Goalkeeper of the tournament. That award went to Ben Bowns of Great Britain who helped his team to get a surprising third place,.

Italy finished fourth and Japan fifth. Ukraine lost all games and are relegated to Division 2.

Best Forward of the tournament was Nikolai Suslo of Belarus. Latvia's Ralfs Freibergs was named Best Defenseman.

The tournament was a great success with an exciting finish and many spectators on all games. The Belarus games averaged 5,760 fans and in the entire tournament the average was 3,213. In the B Group in Slovenia the average was 246.

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