Latvia treated hockey fans to an offensive feast in Stockholm today, putting five pucks past Slovenia en route to a convincing 5-2 victory. The win keeps Latvia’s momentum rolling at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, boosting them to third place in Group A with 6 points.
While Slovenia struck first through Marcel Mahkovec early in the second period, that only seemed to wake up the Latvian offense. What followed was some of the wildest hockey we’ve seen in the tournament – a 52-second stretch that had fans’ heads spinning.
First, Kristians Rubins got the party started by cleaning up a rebound to tie things up. Then the floodgates opened. Anri Ravinskis capitalized on a broken-stick shot that took a fortunate bounce, Martins Dzierkals sniped one glove-side, and suddenly Latvia was rolling.
“It was kind of wild,” admitted Rubins in what might be the understatement of the tournament.
Even when Slovenia’s Blaz Gregorc clawed one back to make it 3-2, Latvia didn’t flinch. Dans Docmelis restored the two-goal cushion just 51 seconds later with some slick moves through the offensive zone. Eduards Tralmaks, who finished with a goal and two assists, put the cherry on top with a highlight-reel breakaway goal in the final minutes.
Between the pipes, Kristers Gudlevskis had a stellar showing with 20 saves on 22 shots. More importantly, the Latvian penalty kill was perfect, shutting down Slovenia’s early power play opportunities that could have changed the game’s complexion.
The victory sets up a massive showdown with tournament hosts Sweden tomorrow night. With both teams playing some of their best hockey, it’s shaping up to be must-watch action for Latvian fans.
