If the Swiss hockey team want to blame anybody but themselves for their 2-1 overtime loss to Latvia on Thursday evening, they can to point the finger at Edgars Masalskis.The Latvian goalie's strong play was the deciding factor in his side's thrilling defeat of Switzerland. It was the host's second loss in four games at the Ice Hockey World Championship.
Masalskis put on a clinic, holding Latvia's 1-0 lead for almost two periods. When Switzerland scored in the last minutes, the goalie remained composed.
He held his ground through the five-minute overtime and stopped all three of Switzerland's penalty shots.
The Swiss loss didn't come about for a lack of trying. They managed 15 shots on goal in the first period compared with twelfth-ranked Latvia's five. But for every chance, Masalskis of Germany's EV Duisburg stood his ground.
The result? Roman Wick of Switzerland was unable to beat Latvian goalie Edgars Masalskis on two occasions in the first six minutes of the game. Switzerland were unable to make anything of a double power play in the second period.
His acrobatics in the third must have impressed Toronto Maple Leaf Martin Gerber, manning the Swiss net. Gerber saw only 21 shots the whole evening.
But for all of Latvia's defensive strength, the Swiss team that turned up tonight was not the same one that managed to garner a lead against Russia on Tuesday. They missed shots, dropped pucks and were unable to capitalise on 11 Latvian penalties in regular time.
Switzerland now face huge pressure to win their next two qualifying games but will have to over the next four days skate past Sweden and the United States if they want a coveted place in the quarterfinal.
Lots of shots, few goals
Martinš Cipulis of Latvia made his mark at 15:30 in the first period, beating Gerber, who has been defending the Swiss net for the past four games.
Latvia held on in the second, with Masalskis continuing his stellar play.
Switzerland squandered the opportunity for a double power play early in the third period. With Aigars Cipruss and Georgijs Pujacs of Latvia in the penalty box, Switzerland would have had almost a minute to play five-on-three.
All of that ended when Martin Plüss and Severin Blindenbacher were sent off within 40 seconds of each other, denying their tea, an opportunity to get back into the game.
The majority of Swiss in the audience of 9,771 and a lone banging drummer in the upper sections of the PostFinance Arena in Bern were unable to inspire their team to a comeback until the last two minutes of the game.
Swiss coach Ralph Krueger pulled Gerber, adding an extra attacker to the Swiss side. Switzerland's Anders Ambühl finally got past Masalskis to send the game to overtime.
Sandy Jeannin won the player of the game honour for Switzerland. Masalskis was man of the match for Latvia.
Switzerland play fifth-ranked Sweden on Sunday afternoon in Bern. Latvia face top-ranked Russia in the evening match.
swissinfo, Justin Häne at the PostFinance Arena in Bern
