Latvia promoted to 2009 U20 World Championship

Host Latvia was the underdog entering the final game against Belarus as nothing but three points would be enough to earn the promotion. Bolstered by nearly 10,000 fans, the Latvians proved that every underdog has its day as the they sakted to the 3-1 win and the promotion.



Latvia had the stronger start and opened the scoring with defenceman Arturs Kulda's power play goal at 27:49. Belarus countered when Yuri Yelinseyenka equalised at 36:00 moments after a Latvian power-play expired. The game was a back-and-forth battle, but the Latvians had the stronger last period with Belarus in penatly trouble. Kaspars Daugavins missed the chance to claim the lead with a penalty shot at 53:59. But, 98 seconds later Latvia found the back of the net when Janis Straupe's scored. An empty netter with 10 seconds left sealed the 3-1 win.


Latvia will make its return to the U20 top division for the first time in two seasons, while Belarus will not make the quick turnaround and will return to Division I next year.




Directorate Awards:

Beat Goaltender: Maxim Malyutin (BLR)

Best Defenseman: Arturs Kulda (LAT)

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• hokcey
• u20
• latvia
• u-20
• latvija
• winner
• riga
• arena

[acrow89]

I'm a Canadian. I love Hockey. I love Team Canada. BUT, Much respect to Latvia! .. Great fans, I love the amount of support.. amazing. Keep coming. Us Canadian hockey fans LOVE you guys.

Brothers of the Ice.. Canada/Latvia!

[markey1987]

Russia Not Better Of LATVIA

[SybrWar]

@acrow89

;)

[shakaalis2000]

Pat īsti vīri nevar noturēt asaras..

deam!!

[vatolohs]

Komentētāji labi vispār :D

[eksisteeju]

LATVIJA LATVIJA LATVIJA..malači..superīga spēle..

žēl ka nesekoju spēlēm U20... ja kāds vēlas var man atgādināt visas spēles ..rakstat uz skipu - ponka.1 un atgāsinat kad kādas spēles būs..norunāts ceru ka ir kāds fans/e kurš var to izdarīt.....

4.50 laikā forši izskatās...mūsējie lēka priecīgi tie uz ledus sēž nelaimīgi!!!

[damnflyer]

nu musejie uzvareja 1 divizija tas nozime ka tika talak uz elites grupu kur spele ar stiprakiem pretiniekiem

[Reezija]

ok.... es iisti nesekoju liidzi sportam - muusu chalji dabuuja zelta medaljas pasaules u-20 liimenii vai arii kkaa regjionali? shaa vai taa super video! atkal LV vienoti pozitiivaa mirklii! :)

[rusher666latvian]

Latvia vs Belarus nowadays probably is our biggest rivalry in hockey (if only the sport is taken into account, if politics too then Russia although they are much better).

[griizinjkalns]

pižons