Slovenia2 – Austria 4:0 (end) | Russia – Norway 4:0 (end) | Switzerland – Latvia 1:3 (end)
Czech Republic – Slovakia2 5:3 (end)
final
Switzerland
1:3 (0:2, 1:0, 0:1)
Latvia
Tuesday 18.02.2014, 18:00 • Bolshoy Ice Dome, Sochi • Olympics - Men
     
    Now we have the final buzzer, and Latvia have caused a big upset here with beating Switzerland 3-1! Despite a strong Swiss start the Latvians scored twice in the first period through goals from Oskars Bartulis and Lauris Darzins. Switzerland finally got on the board in the second period after Martin Pluss found the net, but despite several further chances they couldn't tie the game up and Darzins got his second of the game in the last minute when the Swiss net was already empty. Thanks for following our coverage today, and see you tomorrow for more action from the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi! (20:28:25)
     
    60:00
    Game over.
     
    59:59
    And before the buzzer goes off it's a final offside from the deflated Swiss
     
    59:54
    Switzerland go offside as the Latvians prepare to celebrate
     
    59:50
    Brunner now from the right makes Masalskis cover up while crouching
     
    59:44
    The puck is loose on the crease after a weak hit from the point and Masalskis, the real hero of the game, dives on to it!
     
    59:36
    And Switzerland have taken a timeout as they prepare to have their last attack of the game
     
    59:36
    Icing from the Latvians with just twenty four seconds remaining
     
    59:07
    Despite having just conceded that third goal the Swiss aren't giving up yet and Hiller is again off to the bench!
     
    59:01
    Goal for Team Latvia! That should be the clincher! LAURIS DARZINS gathers up the loose puck from the boards, skates towards the empty net and hits it with ease, it's 3-1! Assists- Vitalijs Pavlovs
     
    58:58
    Empty net for Switzerland!
     
    58:16
    Icing from Latvia. Switzerland really have to do something now to keep their tournament hopes alive with just under two minutes remaining
     
    57:48
    Suri! He streaks clean though after a lucky ricochet off Bartulis falls to him, goes five hole on Masalskis but the goaltender shuts the door!
     
    56:50
    Masalskis through heavy traffic somehow sees where the puck is as it comes in from distance and clings on! Latvia are getting closer and closer now to a big upset with not long left
     
    56:30
    Three on one for Latvia, Girgensons on his knees should score as he fires in first time but no, he smacks the post and the referee after review rules that the puck didn't cross the line!
     
    56:12
    Latvia cough up the puck and Reto Suri just can't squeeze the puck past Masalskis! Latvia cannot make such mistakes!
     
    54:56
    Kenins hits the puck against Hiller from the left, and the rebound goes high and wide with Hiller looking nervy!
     
    54:10
    Icing from Latvia
     
    53:44
    Seger tries to get something in on goal but it's blocked before it gets near the slot
     
    52:50
    Brunner lurking on the side of the crease thumps the puck wide when well placed!
     
    51:22
    Hard pass put across the Latvian crease with the backhand but it's too strong for anyone to get a touch on it just after the puck was flicked not too far away from Masalskis's right post!
     
    51:16
    The Swiss are leading Latvia on shots on target at the moment 26 to 19
     
    49:48
    The puck is whacked into Masalskis from well outside the zone from Streit to make him freeze it for a faceoff in his own end
     
    48:59
    Icing is committed by the Latvians. Switzerland have just over eleven minutes to get back into this game with a quarter final berth at stake
     
    48:32
    And now it's a Switzerland offside
     
    47:43
    Icing from Switzerland
     
    46:26
    Frantic action end to end here! It's a three on one chance for Latvia but Hiller expertly kicks away the final attempt from Girgensons! Straight after that Masalskis has to be on his guard to stop a hard Swiss rush! This is turning out to be a thrilling game
     
    45:23
    From close range Latvia'a veteran Ozolins can't beat Hiller! And then Wick's effort from the right post is put wide by Maslaskis's glove!
     
    44:46
    Kenins! He shows a real turn of pace to release himself one on one, but his snipe isn't good enough to beat Hiller!
     
    43:53
    Miks Indrasis turns sharply, looks to go for Hiller's blocker side low but Josi deflects it out to the boards
     
    43:11
    Cipulis! The Latvians win the puck back, Cipulis hammers in a deflected slapshot from the blue line and Hiller has to make a good reaction save to keep his team within one!
     
    42:44
    Icing is now committed by Latvia
     
    42:18
    Roman Wick tricks his way closer to the Latvian net, from the left faceoff circle takes aim but it's deflected out of play. Switzerland are going to have to be aggressive in this period if they're to tie this game up
     
    41:16
    Icing from the Swiss
     
    41:01
    Ambuhl skates around the Latvian net and is crowded out as he tries to pass the puck across goal
     
    40:01
    Start of 3rd period.
     
    Statistics after the opening 40 minutes-

    Shots on target- 21-17
    Penalty minutes- 4-2
    Saves made by the goalkeeper- 15-20
     
    40:00
    2nd period finished.
     
    39:51
    Switzerland lay siege to the Latvian goal in the final few seconds of the second period
     
    38:51
    Seger! It's another stunning save from Masalskis! Seger has the net begging for him to keep the puck on target but Masalskis almost like a football goalkeeper fends it off with the right side of his body!
     
    38:11
    Switzerland are now back to full strength
     
    37:51
    We have a brief stoppage as Hiller's net flies off its moorings
     
    37:08
    Ozolins takes aim when closing in, the puck bounces up into the air and despite several Latvian attempts to bat it in cricket style it just stays out!
     
    36:54
    Freibergs from the blue line puts the puck in on net and it's deflected out wide
     
    36:11
    Switzerland immediately go back in the attack looking to equalise straight away! But then Roman Wick for tripping has picked up a penalty which has taken the sting out of the momentum that they were building
     
    35:01
    Goal for Team Switzerland! They're back in the game! MARTIN PLUSS at the top of the crease fires the puck in first time and Masalskis is powerless to stop it, it's 2-1! Assists- Reto Suri
     
    34:26
    The Swiss cough up the puck against the boards, Girgensons has only Hiller to beat but he can't fool the goaltender with some clever moves!
     
    33:55
    Kenins! He picks up the loose puck at neutral ice, passes to Pavlovs who returns it too him at the top of the crease and Hiller is called into smart action!
     
    32:37
    The Latvians go offside
     
    31:51
    Cunti and Gardner right on the crease both contrive to make poor contact on the puck when ideally placed! Latvia are just about hanging on at the moment
     
    31:22
    The puck is sent right in front of Latvia's net but no one is there to make a telling touch!
     
    30:47
    Darzins paases to Mikelis Redlis who's skating through the center, Redlihs one times it but it's directly into Hiller's pads! Without a doubt that's Latvia's best move of the period so far
     
    29:49
    Girgensons skates hard to the net on the boards, Karsums is waiting on the slot but the pass doesn't get through
     
    21:21
    Icing again from the Latvians
     
    28:59
    Josi! It's just a blast from the defenceman, it rips past Masalskis but unfortunately for Josi also past the net!
     
    28:06
    Latvia need to do something to relieve the pressure, at the moment they are just relying on Masalskis to keep their lead intact
     
    25:50
    What a save! It's daylight robbery from Masalskis! Ambuhl is left all alone on the doorstep, he's sure to score glove side but Masalskis flashes leather beautifully!
     
    25:43
    Masalskis is getting in a complete mess! Ambuhl can't bundle it in as the goaltender is sprawling all over the place, Masalskis then slips around the whole of the crease and he's very lucky to not concede!
     
    25:23
    Latvia are under increased pressure and their head coach has called a very early timeout
     
    25:23
    Icing is committed by Latvia
     
    24:18
    Switzerland and upping the tempo and after the puck comes in from around the net no one can control it with the Latvian defenders all over the place!
     
    23:20
    Traffic in front of Hiller prevents him from making a save as Kenins got free just past the blue line
     
    22:26
    Moser! The loose puck falls at his stick and he fires in a piledriver first time that goes over Masalskis's blocker and the crossbar!
     
    22:03
    Wick! He's been involved heavily in the action and he tests Masalskis with a pacy wrist shot from the middle of the zone! And the Latvian netminder loses his mask as bodies fall on top on him
     
    21:37
    Vasiljevs! He hits the puck in hard on net from the left but the angle is too tight and Hiller comfortably chests it out
     
    20:40
    Offside against Switzerland
     
    20:12
    Masalskis is the first to cover up the puck in this period. The Swiss started off well until they conceded those two goals, and they will need to respond in this set of 20 minutes
     
    20:01
    Start of 2nd period.
     
    Statistics after the first period-

    Shots on target- 11-9
    Penalty minutes- 2-2
    Saves made by the goalkeeper- 7-11
     
    20:00
    1st period finished.
     
    19:44
    We're now into the final few seconds of the first period
     
    19:10
    Finally the Swiss have a strong attack and Masalskis tips the puck away from the slot as it comes in from the left!
     
    17:53
    Daugavins! Three on two for the Latvians and he wrists the puck inches over the crossbar! Switzerland just aren't in this game at the moment
     
    17:29
    Darzins! He takes the puck on to his backhand, aims for the far post up close but his clever effort drifts wide!
     
    16:52
    Janis Sprukts when in a promising position on the crease tips the puck over!
     
    16:02
    Right off a faceoff draw on the left in the Swiss zone Bartulis take aim but this time Hiller is right behind it
     
    15:31
    Centering pass into the Latvian crease and it's sent clear without too much trouble
     
    14:50
    Karsums sets it up well for Pujacs who through traffic puts the puck over the net, that could have been dangerous for Hiller!
     
    13:30
    Wick! On the doorstep he snaps it first time but Masalskis is equal to it!
     
    11:19
    Goal for Team Latvia! They worked this powerplay well and they have their reward! A wonderful saucer pass from Mikelis Redlihs finds LAURIS DARZINS unmarked at the left post and from a tight angle he squeezes the puck over Hiller's shoulder, powerplay goal and it's 2-0! Assists- Mikelis Redlihs
     
    10:36
    Mikelis Redlihs only just fires over the bar when well placed on the right!
     
    10:21
    Latvia certainly are growing in confidence and they now go on the powerplay, Morris Trachsler for tripping has been called
     
    10:19
    Jonas Hiller catches a long pass in towards his net to hold on for a faceoff
     
    09:58
    Offside from the Latvians
     
    09:28
    Icing from Latvia. Switzerland started the better team but that goal would have rocked them
     
    08:38
    Goal for Team Latvia! With their first shot on goal the Latvians have scored! OSKARS BARTULIS wrists the puck in on net from the right hand boards and it goes all the way through and in, 1-0! Assists- Kaspars Daugavins and Zemgus Grigensons
     
    07:08
    Damien Brunner skates on a two on one breakaway, sends the puck to his strike partner but a Latvian stick deflects it out of danger!
     
    06:30
    Latvia are yet to have any shots on goal, Switzerland have made much the more active start
     
    05:02
    Jass is back on the ice and Latvia are at full strength
     
    04:29
    Masalskis makes a fancy looking glove save off a Julian Vuclair wrister and freezes
     
    04:00
    The puck is swung across to Niederreiter who is charging in at the left post and he's put off just at the right time!
     
    03:48
    Mark Streit blasts the puck form the point first time and Masalskis does well to hold on! He's very busy early on
     
    03:30
    Masalskis is forced to make too alert pad saves as the Swiss get set up in the zone
     
    03:02
    Koba Jass for interference has been called and Switzerland have the first powerplay of the evening
     
    01:22
    Big early chance here for the Swiss! They break out to the attack quickly, the pass across the crease finds Matthias Bieber right on the right post but Masalskis makes a big pad save to deny him!
     
    00:55
    Sprukts feeds Lauris Darzins with a pass ahead of the defender but his snapshot is closed down straight away
     
    00:06
    Icing from Switzerland straight away and the puck will go all the way to the other end
     
    00:01
    Game started.
     
    Both teams are now skating out on to the ice and it's almost time for the opening faceoff!
     
    Starting lineups:

    Switzerland: Hiller (Berra)- Streit, Diaz, Niederreiter, Pluss, Moser- Vauclair, Seger, Ambuhl, Wick, Brunner- Weber, Josi, Cunti, Bodenmann, Romy- Blindenbacher, Suri, Trachsler, Bieber, Gardner

    Latvia: Masalskis (Gudlevskis)- Kulda, Bartulis, Karsums, Daugavins, Girgensons- Rekis, Ozolins, Sprukts, Darzins, M Redlihs- Sotnieks, Pujacs, Cipulis, Pavlos, Kenins- K Redlihs, Freibergs, Vasiljevs, Jass, Indrasis

    Referees: Leggo, Ronn, Kovachik, Schrader.
     
    Both these teams were in Group C, where the Swiss finished in second place with 6 points and Latvia finished in last with nothing to show for their efforts. The game between these sides was a tight affair that Switzerland sneaked 1-0, and overall the Swiss have incredibly scored two goals and conceded only one, so don't expect a goal fest tonight.
     
    Hello everybody and welcome to Sochi for coverage of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. This evening we have men's ice hockey for you as we get into the playoffs, and Switzerland faceoff against Latvia at the the Bolshoy Ice Dome.
     
    Welcome. Game starts at 18:00.
    Commentary by

    Shaun Nicolaides

    Goals & lineups Match log
    Goals and assists: 36. Pluss (Suri) – 9. Bartulis (Daugavins, Grigensons), 12. Darzins (Redlihs), 60. Darzins (Pavlovs)

    Switzerland: Hiller (Berra)- Streit, Diaz, Niederreiter, Pluss, Moser- Vauclair, Seger, Ambuhl, Wick, Brunner- Weber, Josi, Cunti, Bodenmann, Romy- Blindenbacher, Suri, Trachsler, Bieber, Gardner
    Latvia: Masalskis (Gudlevskis)- Kulda, Bartulis, Karsums, Daugavins, Girgensons- Rekis, Ozolins, Sprukts, Darzins, M Redlihs- Sotnieks, Pujacs, Cipulis, Pavlos, Kenins- K Redlihs, Freibergs, Vasiljevs, Jass, Indrasis
    Referees: Leggo, Ronn, Kovachik, Schrader