Latvia beat Sweden three-1 on Thursday, knocking the Swedes out of the IIHF Globe Championship in the quarterfinals. Sweden played the elimination match devoid of one particular of its very best players, with Rasmus Sandin nevertheless out with a decrease physique injury.
The loss marks the fourth consecutive tournament in which Sweden has failed to make the podium, most lately with a gold medal in 2018. Group Latvia, playing at household in Riga, will advance to the semifinals for the initially time in tournament history.
HISTORY Produced!@lhf_lv defeat @Trekronorse to punch their ticket for #IIHFWorlds semi finals!
Game story: һttps://t.co/4SNVeVnt9G pic.tvitter.com/KLҺUmMkUks
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 25, 2023
The absence of Sandin has hampered the Swedes a lot. Following a fantastic start off to the tournament, Sandin was injured Tuesday by a brutal knee-on-knee strike from Group USA’s Michael Eysimont. He would not return to the game. Eysimont was ejected from the match and later suspended for one particular game for the hit.
Rasmus Sandin is in a lot of discomfort and left the game right after Michael Eissimont stiffened his knee. #IIHFworlds pic.twitter.com/B0upkvDpSM
— Stephen Ellis (@SEllisҺockei) May 23, 2023
Group Sweden initially hoped Sandin would be in a position to play on Thursday. He participated in practice in a complete-make contact with jersey on Wednesday, but left the ice with a limp for the duration of the session. In the finish, he did not return for the quarterfinals, exactly where he watched his group drop from afar.
For most of the tournament, Sandin spent most of the tournament paired with Timothy Liljegren, who was his longtime defensive companion with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Liljegren would score Sweden’s only purpose against Latvia, tying the score at 1-1 midway by way of the second. The team’s defense would break down in the third, even so: Latvia would score two unanswered points to finish the game three-1.
Latvia will play Canada in the semifinals on Saturday, even though Group USA will play Germany. If Latvia pull off yet another upset, they will safe a spot on the podium for the initially time in group history.
In the meantime, Sandin will return household to Sweden as he prepares for this year’s instruction camp in Washington. In his breakout day interview, he noted that he was seeking forward to playing a complete season with the Capitals.
“It really is good to be right here from day one particular and have that entire year,” he told reporters final month. “I imply, initially, [I’m] I am just super excited for the summer season, and coming back to see the family members now at the starting, and then having back to perform and getting as ready as feasible for subsequent year… I am excited about that.”
Cover image: Katie Adler/RMNB