Finland took the lead after just three minutes thanks to Saku Maenalanen, prompting fears that a long and painful night might be in store, but Latvia fought back and were rewarded in the 18th minute when Martins Dzierkalns tied the scores.
Finland found the net in the second period and Latvia responded again in the third to leave the scores tied at 2:2 at the end of regular time. Both teams had chances to take two points away instead of one during overtime, but just as it looked as if a shootout would take place, the Finns launched one final attack which paid off handsomely and handed them a 3:2 scoreline.
Latvia's final game in the round-robin stage against Germany on June 1 is now a must-win occasion to retain any hope of qualification for the knock-out stages, but before then on May 31 Germany play the United States.
