Latvia pulls off a surprise victory
In a tightly contested game at the 2026 IIHF Men's Ice Hockey World Championship, Latvia edged the United States 4-2, delivering a result that reshaped the early standings of Group A.
Sandis Vilmanis was the catalyst, adding two empty‑net goals in the final minutes, while Deniss Smirnovs struck early in the third period to put Latvia ahead 2‑1. Haralds Egle opened the scoring in the first period, giving the Latvians an early lead.
The United States, now sitting fifth in the group with two games remaining against Hungary and Austria, saw Matthew Tkachuk tie the contest at 1‑1 with a power‑play marker before the Latvians pulled away.
Denmark’s dominant display
Earlier in the schedule, Denmark blanked Slovenia 4‑0, earning its first win in Group B and underscoring the competitive balance across the tournament.
Looking ahead, the action will continue with Switzerland facing Hungary, Austria taking on Germany, Czechia meeting Slovakia, and Sweden squaring off against Norway, all scheduled for the upcoming weekend in Swiss arenas.
The International Ice Hockey Federation, the sport’s governing body, continues to oversee the event from its Zurich headquarters, ensuring that the championship proceeds under its established regulations.