It may have only been an exhibition contest, but the tiny nation of Latvia upset a powerhouse Russian squad 3-2 in overtime in an 2010 IIHF World Junior pre-tournament game in Swift Current on Monday.
Roberts Bukarts' second goal of the game, only 14 seconds into overtime, lifted Latvia past Russia in front of a pro-Latvia crowd at the Credit Union iplex.
Russian captain Nikita Filatov opened the scoring midway through the second period on the powerplay on Russia's 23rd shot of the game.
But Latvia took a 2-1 lead minutes later with goals 1:21 apart from Bukarts and Miks Indrasis.
Russia tied the game 2-2 12:34 into the third period with a powerplay goal from Kirill Petrov.
Raimonds Ermics and Janis Kalnins shared the win for Latvia with a total of 46 saves.
Igor Bobkov, a 6'4 goaltender from Metallurg Magnitorgorsk, suffered the overtime loss with 27 saves.
"Last year we played a couple of pre-tournament games and we didn't do so good. It is almost like tradition for us. I think that the guys just have to forget this game and I am pretty sure we are going to be ready for the tournament," said Filatov, the sixth overall pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft.
"First of all we have to score more because when you have 48 shots on net and you score just two of them, so that is probably the main mistake. Also we have to do better on defense, just make less turnovers," said Filatov.
Filatov helped Russia to a bronze medal finish at last year's tournament in Ottawa.
"Of course it is going to be Canada, U.S., and Sweden," said Filatov of his team's main rivals this time around. "Also I heard Finland and Czech Republic have got good teams. We have to be ready every game because you seen Latvia's team is pretty good also. Every game is going to be a challenge and it is going to be tough."
