The Canadian team has been a disappointment in Riga and started the World Cup with three straight losses. But after the 7-1 victory against Italy, the Canadians temporarily moved up to fifth place in Group B and the hope of reaching the quarter-finals lives on in any case until the last group game.
But a Latvian bang point against reigning world champion Finland later on Sunday was not what the Canadians had hoped for.
Finland took the lead both once and twice in regular time, but Latvia did not give up. And 13.45 into the third period, Martins Dzierkals controlled the 2-2 goal, which took the match to extra time.
There, Anton Lundell fixed the extra point to Finland, superbly played by Olli Määttä, but the Latvian point was anything but unimportant, as it sent the home nation past Canada in the table thanks to the victory in the mutual meeting.
It is extremely even about the last two playoff spots behind Finland and the USA (who must lose to superior last year Italy to miss the quarterfinals).
Kazakhstan is one point ahead of Germany, Latvia and Canada, who all stand at nine points. With only second-placed Norway left to face, the Kazakhs have put themselves in a really good position to reach the playoffs.
Canada, on the other hand, will have to beat Finland in their final group match on Tuesday to advance, but due to losses against both Latvia and Germany, it is not even certain that three points there will be enough.
Latvia ends on Tuesday against Germany and the Germans also have to face the United States on Monday.
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