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Jagr Lifts Czech Republic over Latvia at 2015 World Championships

Jaromir Jagr became the oldest player to score in the IIHF World Ice Hockey Championship at 12:44 in the second period. The hometown legend’s laser beam shot would hold up to be the game-winner, giving the Czech Republic their first win of the tournament.

Despite a beautiful backhand chance from Jan Kovar at 9:17 in the first period, Kaspars Daugavins would score the first goal for Latvia at 13:13 to finish the first 20 minutes with a lead.

The Czech Republic headed into the second hungry with Michal Jordan scoring his first goal of the tournament to tie the game. But Latvia responded 77 seconds later with a goal by Mikelis Redlihs, prompting Czech Republic head coach Vladimir Ruzicka to pull goaltender Alexander Salak in favor of Ondrej Pavelec. Just over a minute later, Jan Kovar responded on the power-play to tie up the game at 2-2.

With just under five minutes left in the second period, Kristaps Sotnieks gave the Czech Republic a five minute power-play after a slash, earning him a game-misconduct and a chance for the Czech Republic to take the lead. Jan Kovar set up a play with a pass to Martin Erat at the goal line. With Jagr in front of the net, all it took was a simple pass from Erat for Jagr to one-time an absolute laser beam behind Latvian goaltender Edgars Masalskis. 

Jakub Voracek capitalized on a giant rebound off of Jan Kovar shot in the third period to put the Czech Republic up 4-2.

The Czech Republic would go on to earn their first win of the tournament. They face an undefeated Canadian team who have scored 16 goals in two games on Monday.

Joseph Guzy

Joseph Guzy

Studying multimedia journalism at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.
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