STOCKHOLM – Aleksejs Sirokovs’ third period goal at 12:15 broke a 2-2 tie to propel Latvia to victory. Germany and Latvia gave the Globe Arena guests an entertaining back and forth affair tonight.

Click here for a video with post-game comments.
 
There was no shortage of entertainment with scoring chances coming on both ends of the ice. As per usual, both teams had their passionate fans in attendance, cheering their every effort throughout the game.

“It was a huge win, we played great in the first period,” said Oskars Bartulis. “In the second period, it didn’t work out, like yesterday [against Russia]. But in the third period, we had a couple of power plays that didn’t work out, but the last one did.”

For the second straight game, Miks Indrasis scored for Latvia. Indrasis found a rebound in front of the next and battled through two defenders to score at 11:09 of the first. In this, his first IIHF World Championship, the 21-year-old Indrasis has acquitted himself quite well.
 
Both teams had further changes in the opening frame to score. Mikelis Redlihs took a slapshot that hit Dennis Endras on the shoulder and bounced past him and dribbled just wide past an open net.
 
Defenceman Sinan Akdag, making his first appearance since being added to the roster today, had a good chance as well that was stopped by Edgar Masalskis.
 
Indicative of the action were shots on goal. For the period shots were 14-12 in Latvia’s favour.

“We created chances and we saw we could score some goals,” said Justin Krueger. “But we still need to show a little more grit to get some more goals. Defensively, we have to play more physical. We had some hits out there but it’s not enough for our team. We’ve got to come out tougher next time.”
 
Mikelis Redlihs made it 2-0 off a rebound of a Janis Sprukts shot at 3:10 of the period. Indrasis also earned an assist.
 
Germany switched gears not long after and finally got on the scoreboard. John Tripp would serve as the catalyst almost two minutes after the Redlihs goal when he converted from in front.
 
Kai Hospelt tied the score at two at 12:03. Patrick Reimer took a shot that hit the side of the net and bounced off the backboards to Gogulla who sent a pass in front to Hospelt as Masalskis was out of position.
 
In the third period Germany was called for three minor penalties, giving the Latvian power play a chance to work. The Germans killed the first two but the third time for Latvia was the charm.
 
With Florian Ondruschka in the box for delaying the game, Latvia moved the puck around effectively. Kaspars Daugavins spotted Sirokovs between the faceoff circles for the writer shot that beat Endras high. The power play goal held up for the winner.
 
Latvia next faces Italy with both teams level at 1-1.

“Against Italy, we need to make sure we play a full 60 minutes,” said Bartulis. “Not 20 good ones, and the second 20 not so good. That’s the biggest thing we have to focus on.”

Germany, also 1-1, faces its biggest challenge yet in how to stop Russia and Yevgeni Malkin.
 
There were 4,162 spectators for the game and they were all thoroughly entertained.
 
JOHN SANFUL