Latvia overpowers Slovenia 3-2 for third consecutive win

Latvia edged out Slovenia 3-2 in front of a packed crowd at Arena Riga at the 2023 IIHF World Championship on Friday.

Third win in a row for hometown heroes @lhf_lv.🇱🇻💪 #LATSLO #IIHFWorlds

Full game story ⤵️https://t.co/CtlHeqB48R pic.twitter.com/rFXKXUjOtE

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 19, 2023

It is Latvia’s 3rd straight win, which gives them 8 points in the standings and they currently sit 4th in Group B. Slovenia, on the other hand, are yet to score their first point in the event as they are in real danger of being relegated.

Rihards Bukarts opened the scoring for the Latvians in the first period. Slovenia equalized at the 28th minute through Anze Kuralt.

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Less than three minutes later Latvia were in front once again thanks to a power-play goal from Kaspars Daugavins. They didn’t stop there as Roberts Buhards made it 3-1 with only 2:21 left to play.

Slovenia cut the deficit with 12 second left in the second period.

Despite their best efforts in the last period, the Slovenes were unable to score a goal and succumbed to yet another loss.