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Finland keeps winning

Latvia facing must-win game against Swiss

Published 19.04.2015 19:36 GMT+2 | Author Adam Steiss
Finland keeps winning
ZUG, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 19: Finland'a Julius Nattinen #25 and Otto Leskinen #5 celebrate after a second period goal against Latvia's Gustavs Grigals #29 during preliminary round action at the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship. (Photo by Francois Laplante/HHOF-IIHF Images)
Finland fell behind early to Latvia, but woke up in the second period with two power play goals on the way to a 3-1 win.

Tournament No. 1 and 2 scoring leaders Vili Saarijarvi and Patrik Laine had another good game against the Latvians. After Rihards Puide made it 1-0 for Latvia in the first period, Saarijarvi and Jonne Tammela set up Julius Nattinen for the tying goal just over eight minutes into the second. Saarijarvia and Tammela struck again on the man advantage three minutes later, this time serving up Laine for the go-ahead goal.

Laine scored again in the third period, bringing his U18 total up to four. The Finns (3W-0L) are cruising through the preliminary round, but do not have the top seed in Group B sewn up just yet. Should Canada defeat the Czech Republic tonight, they will play Finland on Tuesday with the top seed going to the winner.

Latvia, after being promoted to the top division last year, will need to post a big win tomorrow against tournament hosts Switzerland in Zug on Monday.

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