Sensational World Cup: World champion ejected, Latvia beats Sweden

Canada defeated host Finland at the Ice Hockey World Cup in the 2022 final, thereby dethroning the defending champions. At the same time, Latvia caused a surprise in Riga that was not thought possible.

25 May 2023

From: apa/dpa/fop

The Maple Leaves won 4-1 in the quarter-finals on Thursday in Tampere. In the semi-finals, the record world champions will unexpectedly face Latvia on Saturday. The co-host won in Riga against eleven-time world champions Sweden 3-1. Germany is also surprisingly in the semi-finals. The German selection beat Switzerland 3-1 in Riga. The USA is also further after a 3-0 win against the Czech Republic.

Canada presented itself compactly from the start in front of over 11.500 spectators and gave the Finns little room to develop. At the front, the North American was characterized by efficiency. Jack Quinn surprised Finland's goalie Emil Larmi after a counterattack to make it 1-0 (8th). The title holders then had no recipe against the defensively prudent Canadians, who had strong support in Samuel Montembeault. The Montreal Canadiens goalie was not defeated twice in one-on-one situations in the middle third. Finland was already 0-2 down after Samuel Blais (31') took advantage of a counterattack.

The Finns are eliminated. © ANSA / KIMMO BRANDT

The preliminary decision in the final section by Michael Carcone (43') was made quickly. With the courage of desperation, the Finns managed to make it 1:3 through Teemu Hartikainen (57th). When the home team took the goalie off the ice, Tyler Toffoli hit the empty net.

Latvia in the semi-finals for the first time

Meanwhile in Riga the locals were cheering. Latvia took the lead completely contrary to the paper form through Dans Locmelis (13th) and were not deterred by the Swedish equalizer through Timothy Liljegren (30th). Miks Indrasis (46th) scored on the counterattack from a nice individual effort to make it 2-1 to much acclaim, before a long-range shot from Janis Jaks (54th) rolled over the line in the power play. Rihards Bukarts, who played for the KAC last season, ended up recording three assists. Sweden's final offensive was ineffective. Latvia made it to the semi-finals for the first time at a World Cup.