Czech Republic Holds Off Latvia

The Czech Republic came out flying and looking for the early lead. They got three of them as David Krejci, Tomas Plekanec, and Jarmir Jagr each buried a goal in the first five minutes of the game. Marek Zidlicky had what could be his best game of the tournament with three assists.The Czechs got comfortable and started to slow, and that is when Latvia took advantage of the opportunity. Kristaps Sotnieks stepped out of the box and took a long lead feed from Herberts Vasiljevs and made no mistake on the breakaway as he beat Tomas Vokoun five hole to make it a 4-1 game. A few minutes later, Jagr was called for holding, and the penalty proved costly. Girts Ankipans scored a powerplay marker to bring the game within reach for the Latvians.

The third period was a different story. The Czechs came out with immediate pressure, getting the first eight shots of the period, and outshot Latvia 39 to 18 in the game. Late in the period, Jarmir Jagr tried to put the game away himself with a wrap around that rolled just in front of the goal line and right through the crease. Latvia pulled their goaltender with under a minute to go, but it was all for naught as Elias flipped a long one down that made it into the back of the net.

The Czech Republic took this tightly battled game at a final score of 5-2, and will now prepare for Russia on Sunday. A win would give the Czech Republic sole possession of the division. Latvia will prepare for Slovakia on Saturday.

Micheal A. Aldred
www.checkingfrombehind.com