Key win for Slovakia against Latvia

In a close game, Slovakia earned a key win against Latvia. The first period was even, with the shots on goal 13-12 in favour of Slovakia.

The first goal of the game was scored 6:41 into the second period and it was Latvia that took the lead. It was Juris Ziemins who scored on a rebound from the boards. Slovakia was the better team, leading 16-6 in shots during the period, but it took until 15:28 before Tomas Jurco could tie the game. Latvia had a good chance to retake the lead on a 5-on-3 power play but failed to convert.

Two minutes into the third, Slovakia took the lead for the first time when Marek Tvrdon managed to beat Latvian goalie Kristers Gudlevskis. Gudlevskis made 42 saves and wasn't beaten again. Slovakia scored a third goal when Latvia pulled the goalie for an extra attacker at the end. Before that, the goal scorer Ziemins almost tied the game for Latvia but the post denied him.

The two goalkeepers, Gudlevskis and Simboch, were given the best player awards. Both teams will face Russia in their next game, Slovakia on Wednesday and Latvia on Thursday.

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