Inline: Hungary beats Latvia for 5th place

Hungary captured a fifth place finish at the Division 1 world championships after they defeated a tournament favorite Latvia in a tight game.

After their win the previous day head coach Attila Hoffmann stayed with Tamás Kiss as the starting goalie, who again was a solid presence on the backend much like how Krisztián Budai was as well in the tournament. Latvia looked like the stronger team at the start of the game but luckily they were not able to capitalize in this, whereas Hungary scored two quick goals to be up 2-0. Imre Peterdi made it 1-0 in the fourth minute with Tamás Lencsés and Arnold Feil getting the assists, 25 seconds later Vilmos Galló doubled the Hungary lead with Szilárd Sándor and Attila Rafaj helping him out. Latvia was able to cut into the Hungarian lead with a goal at the start of the second period. As the game went on Hungary kept on turning over the puck but luckily Hungary was able to squad the Latvian attack or Tamás Kiss bailed his team out.

In the third period Latvia had more shots on net, and managed to pull even at 2-2. With Hungary on the powerplay Latvia jumped onto a loose puck and skated in on a breakaway but the skater was pulled down and a penalty shot was awarded, which they converted.

In the fourth period it looked like Hungary got themselves together, Ákos Kiss continued his scoring streak as he put Hungary back up by one goal. In the 46th minute Tamás Kiss suffered an ankle injury, the ref did not blow the whistle, there for he had to make a number of key saves on his knees until he could hold onto the puck and get a whistle. Kiss signaled to the bench that we was hurt and it was determined that he was done for the day, Hoffmann called timeout to get his troops together and to give Budai a couple of minutes to get ready. Latvia took advantage of the timeout as well and pulled their goalie for the extra attacker, and they managed to score, to even it at three. Less than a half minute later Peterdi scored his second of the game to make it 4-3, but the drama was not over. Latvia pulled their goalie again and it looked like they had tied it up when the referee waived off the goal because of goalie interference, and thus giving Hungary the 4-3 win.

Imre Peterdi was volted player of the game.