Latvia shock USA to win their first ice hockey world championship medal
Defenseman Kristian Rubins scored his second goal 1:22 into overtime to lead Latvia to a 4-3 victory over the United States and earn a bronze medal at the ice hockey world championship on Sunday.
Canada won the gold medal with a 5-2 victory over Germany in the final to claim their 28th world title.
It’s the first top-three finish for Latvia at the tournament. Their previous best was seventh place, something they have achieved three times.
The US lost in the bronze medal game for the second straight year. They were cruising through the tournament with eight straight wins until they were defeated by Germany in the semifinal 4-3 in overtime.
Rubins rallied Latvia with his first with 5:39 to go in the final period to tie the game at 3-3 to force overtime. Roberts Bukarts and Janis Jaks also scored for Latvia.
Rocco Grimaldi scored twice for the US in the opening period to negate Latvia’s 1-0 and 2-1 leads. Matt Coronato had put the US 3-2 ahead 6:19 into the final period.
Source: The Guardian
