Experts did not expect history to be rewritten in this way. “You cannot overestimate the importance of this victory. One of the most significant victories in the history of the tournament and Latvian hockey”. It is also noted that the “small country Latvia” beat the Canadians on their ice, experiencing a magical moment.
The performance of the Latvian goalkeeper Linards Feldberg is also highly valued, especially in the series of shots after the game, in which the leading Canadian players were unable to beat him. In regular time and extra time, Latvia strictly stuck to the game plan in defense, not allowing repeated shots. “It was the best game of the Latvians’ lives and maybe they will do even more in this tournament,” experts add. Beating Canada on their home turf is now an event to be told to your children and grandchildren for a long time to come. Last year, at the world championship, Canada defeated Latvia with a score of 10:0, but in 2010, even a 16:0 defeat was recorded.
Goalkeeper Feldbergs was recognized as the best in the Latvian national team, who saved 55 out of 57 shots in this match, and also did not allow the opponents to score goals in post-match shots. Eric Mateiko made the winning shot.
An estimated 17,490 spectators watched the game in the usually popular tournament in North America.
In the continuation of the tournament, Latvian ice hockey players will meet the USA national team on Saturday at 10:30 p.m., on December 30 at 10:30 p.m. they will play against their peers from Germany, and in the final battle of the subgroup on December 31 at 9:30 p.m. they will compete against the Finnish national team.