In front of a wild crowd at the Riga Arena, Latvia reached the semifinals of the Ice Hockey World Championship by beating Sweden 3-1 on Thursday.
This surprise win gives Latvia two chances to claim the first medal in their history at this annual classic. However, they face another formidable challenge on Saturday when they meet the Canadian formation.
Latvia triumphed in the match of the day largely thanks to the brilliance of young goalkeeper Arturs Silovs. The Vancouver Canucks junior, who was on a ten-game loan to the Trois-Rivières Lions between 2021 and 2022, frustrated the Swedes 40 times.
Silovs particularly defended his fortress during the enemy’s five numerical superiority situations. Towards the end of the second half, Martins Dzierkals received a match penalty for kicking the stick after the whistle, but Sweden hit a wall.
Spurred on by the exuberant Latvian crowd, the hosts took the lead through Dans Lomelis in the first period. The 19-year-old center, a Boston Bruins fourth-round pick, jumped on a return pitch to hit Lars Johansson.
Not on the podium since 2018, the Swedes had yet to say their last word, dominating the second duel on penalties 13-1. Toronto Maple Leafs guard Timothy Liljegren eventually leveled the game by beating Silovs with a Laser debunked in the top corner.
Rihards Bukarts, who provided three assists in the game, gave the disc to Miks Indrasis early in the zone in the third period. The latter caused a stir at the Riga Arena by serving striker Par Lindholm a cup of coffee before handing the lead back to his team.
Janis Jaks then dealt the visitors the fatal blow when his shot from the spot went wide of Johansson.
Regardless of the outcome of the next duels, the Latvians wrote an important chapter in their history by beating Sweden. Her best finish at the IIHF Worlds was seventh place.