FIN 2:3 LAT | Finland - Latvia (World Championship)

World Championship

Italy veterans – Norway	0:3 (end)	\|	Kazakhstan – Germany2	1:2 (1:2 after SO)	\|	Sweden2 – Denmark	3:0 (end)
Finland – Latvia	2:3 (end)	\|	Canada2 – Slovakia2	4:1 (end)	\|	USA – Switzerland	3:2 (end)

final

Finland

2:3 (1:1, 1:0, 0:2)

Latvia

Saturday 10.05.2014, 15:45 • Minsk Arena • World Championship

		Thats all for this match, thank you for your attention, stay tuned for our next coverages. (18:03:27)
		Best players are Tommi Kivisto (FIN) and Kaspars Daugavins (LAT).
		What a match! Crowded Minsk Arena applauds Latvian winners. Finns were luckier in this game and took the lead twice, but Latvia managed to equalize in third and score a late game winner to make a big surprise on the second day of the championship!
	60:00	Game over.
	59:56	Serie of shots found Lehtera in front of empty net, but Finnish striker missed jumping puck and its over!
	59:25	Kontiola had to concentrate to control the puck and his got deflected. Face-off in front of Masalskis.
	58:40	Redlihs had a chance to follow the puck and shoot it into the empty net, but was fast enough!
	58:31	Home team timeout.
	58:18	Kenins made no mistake and just forwarded puck to the corner to get some time to hurry to the bench.
	58:01	Referees stopped the game and calls a face-off in the neutral zone while Finns have puck behind the net of Masalskis.
	57:24	Girgensons with a fake and shot effort came unlucky against Rinne.
	57:07	Finland have puck in their attacking zone.
	56:04	Sotnieks on the goal line as substation for Masalskis robbed Lehtera!
	55:10	Last five minutes of third period and Latvian defenders hold the puck.
	54:44	Immonen tried to sneak past defenders and almost succeeded.
	54:05	Salomaki from behind the net with a pass, but nobody could reach it and it gores into the neutral zone.
	53:21	Finns have the puck in their own zone.
	52:22	Goal for Team Latvia! And its there, Latvia take the lead for the first time with 07:38 left in the third period! Daugavins holds the puck on the left side, feeds it to ARTURS KULDA on the blue line and Kulda hammers it past Rinne! Assisted by Kaspars Daugavins.
	52:15	Minor penalty for Savinainen (FIN) means a great opportunity for Latvia to finally take deserved lead.
	51:16	Jormakka created chance for himself, made a space in between the circles but missed the right post of the net by inches.
	50:17	Jokinen found puck behind the net and was looking for Salomaki in front of Masalskis, but hit the construction of the net.
	49:22	Kontiola tried a slapshot from the neutral zone, it went wide but Lehtera collected the puck.
	48:52	Face-off in front of Finnish goalkeeper.
	47:48	Goal for Team Latvia! But it doesn't matter anymore, its all square now! KRISTAPS SOTNIEKS tried a shot on the ice from left circle and it went in without any help of Girgensons, who was screening in front of helpless Rinee! Assisted y Pujacs and Indrasis.
	47:42	Girgensons unlucky with a chance to equalize.
	47:10	Kulda had enough time, decided for a shot from the blue line, but missed the net by some distance. Puck ends in corner.
	46:39	Visiting team at full strength.
	46:35	Icing called against Team Finland.
	46:11	Petri Kontiola (FIN) ends Finnish power-play with a foul.
	46:06	Finns are controlling puck, but they don't shoot, which is essential to score.
	45:15	Komarov to Lehtera, but he missed from fine position.
	45:00	Lehtera waited too long and defender tipped his pass with a stick to push it to the neutral zone.
	44:39	Kontiola was tripped by Jass (LAT) and Finland will play power-play.
	44:24	Sotnieks couldn't hold puck on the blue line and it went to the neutral zone.
	43:26	Jarkko Imonen with yet another wrester from the right circle, but no screen in front of Masalskis.
	42:55	Masalskis had a clear view and hold puck in his glove after wristshot from right circle.
	42:50	Long pass to Lipsbergs went for icing.
	41:28	Meija from the right side tries to find Dzerins in the crease, but he was blocked and couldn't shoot.
	40:25	Savinainen get the puck to the attacking zone and hold onto it, shoots on Masalskis who had to make a save.
	40:01	Start of 3rd period.
		Next period begins at 17:26 CET.
		We saw one goal in the second period as Kontiola took back their los leas in the power-play. Latvian players had more chances and outshot Finns, but their problem is Pekka Rinne, who is rock-solid today.
	40:00	2nd period finished.
	39:20	Girgensons could make an advantage because one of defenders lost his stick, but he hit him with puck into the skates.
	38:50	Lehtera (FUN) is called for interference.
	38:35	Nizivijs tried to feed the puck to Vasiljevs through the crease, but Rinne saw it all along and reached for the puck.
	38:17	Daugavins had speed on the right side and support in the middle, decided for a shot under the arm and Rinne had problems to hold onto the puck.
	37:42	It looked like cicng by Finns, but referees didn't whistle.
	37:06	Offside called against Latvia.
	36:43	Nizivijs was skating for the loose puck, but couldn't make anything of it.
	36:12	Visiting team at full strength.
	35:30	Hietanen shot from right circle, Masalskis blocked his shot, Mantyla could rebounded it to the empty net, but missed!
	34:40	Hietanen saved the situation in his own zone, but his pass didn't find anybody and puck went for icing.
	34:12	Minor penalty for Daugavins (LAT) for tripping.
	34:00	Jokinen stole the puck and was looking for support, but couldn't find anyone.
	33:33	Rinne lifted light shot which ends in the net above the board behind his net.
	32:36	Lajunen fired snapshot from high spot, Masalskis was at his left post in time and made a sliding pad save.
	31:42	Goal for Team Finland! Finns are utilizing their power-play to grab their lost lead! Kontiola feeds puck to TUUKKA MANTYLA who's shot got deflected past Masalskis who couldn't done anything! Assisted by Petri Kontiola.
	30:59	Daugavins (LAT) breaks the pressure with a foul.
	30:42	Rinne with another glove save against Meija! Latvian players are shooting from every position and piling up their pressure.
	30:26	Indrasis found a way between two defenders but found only pads of Rinne.Pujacs collects the puck for rebound, but hit Rinne who skated towards him. Finnish goalkeeper covers the puck.
	29:35	Mikelis Redlihs between the circles got difficult pass from Dauagavins but made the shot, Rinne is like a wall today and made a save.
	29:14	Home team at full strength.
	28:28	Kivisto was stronger than Cipulis, but couldn't send the puck out of their own zone.
	27:25	Marttinen is back on the ice in formation, Finns with four skaters now.
	27:14	Minor penalty for players on both sides. Latvia will play with five players against three Finns.
	27:14	Rinne the Magician! What a save on the line against Daugavins who was once again alone in front of the empty net, but couldn't lift it high enough to beat Finnish goalkeeper!
	26:38	Girgensons just wasted a goalscoring opportunity! He was in front of Rinne who made a perfect pad save with left leg!
	25:51	Finland back in four skaters blocked the puck behind their net. Face-off will be in neutral zone.
	25:20	Marttinen (FIN) shoots the puck over the glass and is called for delaying the game.
	25:14	Mikelis Redlihs had no space and speed and lost the puck to defenders.
	24:43	Latvian players lose the attacking zone.
	24:05	Kulda broke his stick on the blue line when he tried to shoot, but he managed to save the situation.
	23:36	Karalahti (FIN) goes to penalty box for tripping.
	23:20	Komarov tried slapshot from the left side, but it went terribly wide.
	22:37	Cipulis stole missed pass and could shoot from left circle, went for a wrester, but Rinne made a fine glove save.
	22:27	Icing Finland.
	21:54	Home team at full strength.
	21:44	Girgensons fires and Daugavins in the traffic with a deflection, but its just wide.
	21:17	Nizivijs stayed a bit longer on the ice after hard hit, but he should be OK.
	20:56	Visiting team at full strength.
	20:19	Daugavins tried to rebound blocked shout, but couldn't hit jumping puck.
	20:01	Start of 2nd period.
		Next period begins at 16:33 CET.
		First period is over, we saw two goals. Opener was a lucky goal by Salomaki, who got hit by the defender and forced the puck to the net. Daugavins equalized not even two minutes later and his team was more active in the rest of the first period, but couldn't take the lead.
	20:00	1st period finished.
	19:54	Mantyla (FIN) with completely unnecessary foul in the last seconds in the offensive zone, minor penalty for interference.
	19:05	Kontiola found Lehtera between the circles, but Lehteras one-timer went wide.
	18:55	Kulda (LAT) get minor penalty for holding, Finland will have power-play in the last minute of the first period.
	18:35	Jere Sallinen tries his luck with a wristshot from the right circle, but puck got deflected and ends high and wide.
	17:57	Daugavins with another scoring opportunity after Mikelis Redlihs found him in front of the empty net, but no goal!
	17:37	Blocked one timer ends in left corner of Latvian defensive zone where Meija collects it.
	16:34	Cipulis and Nizivijs went against one defender, Cipulis passed the puck and blocked defender, Nizivijs got past him with a nice fake but couldn't beat Rinne with a backhand deke at right post!
	16:12	Girgensons made a fine pass to Indrasis who missed the puck completely in very good chance to take the lead!
	15:58	Another collision behind the net of Finnish goalkeeper.
	14:53	Cipulis was trying to lose his guard, but he couldn't find anyone in better position.
	14:18	Stas is heading straight to the locker room, Karalahti gets no penalty.
	14:18	Stas was hit by Karalahti and remains on the ice. There is blood on the ice as well, we will see what the call by referees will be.
	13:56	Indrasis could lead counter attack, but Kivisto was faster and stole the puck from him.
	13:10	Komarov feeds the puck to Heitanen who shot one-timer, but his shot was blocked on the way to Masalskis.
	12:13	Kulda has the puck and tries to set up an attacking action.
	11:34	Pakarinen found his way behind the net an made a 360 turnaround with a pass to find Jormakka in front of Masalskis, but he was too close.
	11:24	Icing Latvia.
	11:19	Visiting team at full strength.
	10:51	Kulda uses the board to send the puck behind the net of Rinne.
	10:26	Karalahti with a shot from the top of the right circle, but Masalskis got piece of it with his shoulder.
	10:04	Daugavins stole the puck and hurried towards Rinne, but offside were called before he could finish his action.
	09:40	Masalskis with a first shorthanded save, Rinne on the other side of the rink had to be prepared just seconds after that.
	09:18	Sotnieks (LAT) tried to body check his opponent but went to low with his hit.
	08:18	Home team at full strength.
	08:49	Puck is behind the net of Masalskis.
	08:22	Latvians were controlling the puck, but Rinne didn't have to make any save.
	07:43	Blocked shot from the blue line, puck remained in front of the net but Girgensons missed the rebound.
	07:06	Fins won the face-off and sent puck to Masalskis.
	06:57	Salomaki (FIN) called for interference and Latvia will have a power-play.
	06:18	Goal for Team Latvia! It is equalized just moments after the opening goal! KASPARS DAUGAVINS got some speed on the right side, found his way behind defender and equalized with a fine shot – Rinne haven't seen the puck at all! Assisted by Mikelis Redlihs.
	05:59	Latvian defenders with the puck.
	04:30	Goal for Team Finland! MIIKKA SALOMAKI opens the score with a lucky effort! Salomaki performed some good forechecking and was in the right spot to put defender under pressure, Lavins wanted to get rid of the puck but hit Salomaki and puck ended behind surprised Masalskis!
	03:49	Latvians locked their opponents in attacking zone, Kenins got puck in the left circle and had enough time to go for a shot, but Rinne was at hist right post in time.
	03:11	Kulda collects the puck in own zone and calms down the pace.
	02:13	Imonen found Jormakka who slaps it at Masalskis who made a save.
	02:01	Huhtala and Jormakka behind the net, but nobody is in shooting position.
	01:18	Cipulis with speed in the neutral zone, but can't collect fast pass.
	00:42	Kenins and Daugavins in their first attacking effort, but Daugavins was blocked.
	00:13	Kenins could collect the puck and gave it to opponent.
	00:01	Game started.
		Last minutes before the start and crowd is pouring into the Minsk Arena. It is almost obvious that there will be majority of Latvian fans.
		Players are slowly leaving the rink and heading to their locker rooms.
		Starting lineups: Finland: Rinne – Mantyla, Hietanen, Ohtamaa, Karalahti, Kivisto, Marttinen, Lajune, Wirtanen – Lehtera, Kontiola, Komarov – Jokinen, Salomaki, Pakarinen – Jormakka, Immonen, Huhtala – Savinainen, Palola, Sallinen Latvia: Masalskis – Galvins, Kulda, Sotnieks, Pujacs, Lavins, Jekabs R., Jass M., Jaks – Daugavins, Redlihs M., Kenins – Girgensons, Lipsbergs, Indrasis – Vasiljevs, Nizivijs, Cipulis – Stals, Dzerins, Meija Referees: Dremelj, Jerabek – Dedioulia, Leermakers.
		Both teams are on the ice warming-up before their opening game of this tournament.
		Latvia: Backbone of Latvian team are players from Dinamo Riga, only Latvian competitor in the KHL. This year, nine of them are to be found in the rooster of Canadian head coach Ted Nolan. He also nominated two players from NHL, while the rest of players is from all over the Europe, including players from Czech, Slovak or Swiss top division. Latvia is certainly underdog in this game and will be looking for surprise based on good defense.
		Finland: Coach Erkka Westerlund made a good mix of experienced players and rising stars, taking only two NHLers – goalkeeper Pekka Rinne and second oldest player to make the team, Olli Jokinen. Rest of the team are players from Finnish domestic league and KHL, including Jarkko Imonen or Leo Komarov.
		In the second game of the second day of this WCH, we will se a clash between two Baltic states – Finland and Latvia. Finland is without any doubt favorite here, as they claimed bronze medals at the Olympic tournament in Sochi earlier this year.Finland wants to improve its two consecutive fourth places from IIHF World Championship in past two years.
		Welcome. Game starts at 15:45.

Commentary by

Lukáš Kratochvíl

@LukasKratoch

Goals & lineups Match log

Goals and assists: 5. Salomaki, 32. Mantyla (Kontiola) – 7. Daugavins (Redlihs M.), 48. Sotnieks (Pujacs, Indrasis), 53. Kulda (Daugavins)

Finland: Rinne – Mantyla, Hietanen, Ohtamaa, Karalahti, Kivisto, Marttinen, Lajune, Wirtanen – Lehtera, Kontiola, Komarov – Jokinen, Salomaki, Pakarinen – Jormakka, Immonen, Huhtala – Savinainen, Palola, Sallinen

Latvia: Masalskis – Galvins, Kulda, Sotnieks, Pujacs, Lavins, Jekabs R., Jass M., Jaks – Daugavins, Redlihs M., Kenins – Girgensons, Lipsbergs, Indrasis – Vasiljevs, Nizivijs, Cipulis – Stals, Dzerins, Meija

Referees: Dremelj, Jerabek – Dedioulia, Leermakers

Attendance: 11700

1st period
	04:30
	06:18
	06:57
	09:18
	18:55
	19:54
1st intermission
2nd period
	27:14
	30:59
	31:42
	34:12
	38:50
2nd intermission
3rd period
	46:11
	47:48
	52:15
	52:22
Final