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Latvia stuns Sweden, Canada dethrones the Finns
Latvia reached its first ever World Championship semi-final after a stunning win over Sweden. Two days after Arena Riga partied into the night as the co-host secured a playoff spot in dramatic style, there was even greater jubilation after a 3-1 victory over the Tre Kronor set up a clash with Canada in the final four.
Latvia snatches playoff place, Kazakhstan achieves second-best finish
With 5:04 left on the clock in regulation time, Kaspars Daugavins scored a goal that raised the roof at Arena Riga. The Latvian captain delivered a tying goal for his country in a vital game against Switzerland, earning the point that put the co-hosts into the quarter final. A power play goal in the extras saw Rudolfs Balcers crown a memorable evening beside the Baltic.
Kazakhstan signs off with win, Austria stays in the elite
Two late goals grabbed a 4-3 victory over Slovenia as Kazakhstan signed off at the 2023 World Championship. Monday’s match-up was a dead rubber as far as the competition was concerned, with Slovenia already relegated and Kazakhstan unable to make the playoffs. However, it produced an entertaining game with both teams looking to finish on a high note.
Seventh heaven for Latvia, tough night for Kazakhstan
Latvia’s push for a playoff place continues after a crushing 7-0 victory over Kazakhstan. The win gives the co-host a six-point cushion over fifth-placed Slovakia, but the champagne corks can’t start popping just yet. Slovakia would have the head-to-head advantage in the event of a tie and has winnable games against Slovenia and Norway to come. Thus the Latvians could still need a point against undefeated Switzerland in the final game to book a quarter-final spot.
More wins for Russia, Worlds start in Finland and Latvia — the KHL week in review
International hockey was the focus last week, with Russia’s U25s continuing the series against Belarus while the World Championship got underway. At home, Lada confirmed its first players on its return to the KHL, and the league announced more nominees for the big prizes at the closing ceremony on Thursday.
Kazakhstan suffer against Czechs, Drozg scores twice on Canada
After an impressive opening win over Norway, Kazakhstan came back down to earth in its second game at the 2023 World Championship. A 1-5 loss against the Czech Republic leaves the Kazakhs with two points from two games in Riga, good for fifth place in Group B.
Johansson backstops Sweden to victory; Finns and Latvians lose on home ice
Gagarin Cup winner Lars Johansson, now 35, set an unlikely record for Sweden in a 1-0 victory over Germany at the start of the 2023 IIHF World Championship. This was his first game in a World Championship for the Tre Kronor, and at 35 years, 305 days, the former CSKA man is the oldest Swedish goalie to make a debut in this competition.
Lifting the cup. Gagarin Cup top imports
CSKA featured three imports in its squad, and either of them had a significant contribute to the team’s ultimate success. It was the first Gagarin Cup triumph for Adam Reideborn and Fredrik Claesson, and the second for Darren Dietz. KHL.ru presents the best players from the championship team.
‘This cup means even more than my first’ – Gagarin Cup reactions
The 15th KHL season reached a dramatic conclusion in Kazan, where CSKA secured the Gagarin Cup in game seven of the final. The defending champion did it the hard way, playing 27 of a possible 28 playoff games this season. After the presentations, we heard from some of the key players on both sides about one of the most exciting seasons in Russian hockey history.
CSKA wins back-to-back Gagarin Cups. April 29 playoffs
For the first time since 2013, we have a repeat champion. CSKA did it the hard way in this year’s final, blowing a 3-1 lead before recovering to win game seven on the road in Kazan. Two goals in 76 seconds turned this battle upside down as Sergei Fedorov’s men defended the title they won a year ago.
Game seven awaits! Ak Bars ties it up. April 27 playoffs
We’re heading to game seven! For the second season running, the Gagarin Cup final has seen a team fightback from 1-3 to tie it up at 3-3. Last year, CSKA was the team playing catch-up; this time, the defending champion finds itself in the opposition position after Ak Bars dug deep to blank the Muscovites.