Scorer of the late equalizer and the winner in extra time, Kristians Rubins was a true hero for Latvia on Sunday, as they won 4-3 against the United States in the bronze medal game at the Hockey World Championship.
This is the first time that Latvia, one of the tournament’s two host nations, has won a medal at an IIHF event.
The United States led 3-2 in the third period, thanks to a goal from Matt Coronato, when Rubins tied the game with just over five minutes remaining. Rubins then came to seal the outcome of the meeting after only 1m22 of action in overtime.
Roberts Bukarts and Janis Jaks netted the other winners. Rocco Grimaldi scored a brace for the Americans.
In the Latvian net for a tenth game in this tournament, Arturs Silovs made 26 saves in the victory. At the other end of the rink, Casey DeSmith was reported 21 times.
The grand final, which is to oppose Canada to Germany, will take place later today.