Latvia out after 4-1 loss to Sweden

Sweden’s national team racked up two power plays and one shorthanded goal in just the first period on its way to a 4-1 victory May 5 that knocked Latvia out of contention in the International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Championship.

Latvia, which had advanced to the quarterfinals, will have to be satisfied that it was one of the top eight teams in this year’s championship, which is being hosted by the Czech Republic.

The Swedes outshot Latvia 38-24, according to official results posted on the IHWC.net Web site. In the second period alone, the Swedes tried to get the puck past Latvian goalkeeper Artūrs Irbe 16 times, while the Latvians only had seven shots on Sweden.

Latvia’s only goal came 1:11 into the third period during a power play. Viktors Ignatjevs, assisted by Aleksandrs Macijevksis, got the puck past Sweden’s goalkeeper, Henrik Lundqvist. The Swedes answered about eight minutes later with another shorthanded goal.

The last time Latvia reached the top eight was in 2000.

Andris Straumanis is a special correspondent for and a co-founder of Latvians Online. From 2000–2012 he was editor of the website.

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