Latvia stuns U.S. in overtime to take first medal ever at hockey worlds

Kristians Rubins was the hero for Latvia, scoring a late third period equalizer, and then snapping home the game-winner in overtime as Latvia defeated USA to win bronze at the World Hockey Championship.

TAMPERE, Finland (AP) — Defenceman Kristian Rubins scored his second goal 1:22 into overtime to lead Latvia to a 4-3 victory over the United States and earn a bronze medal at the ice hockey world championship on Sunday.

It’s the first top-three finish for Latvia at the tournament. Its previous best was a seventh-place finish, which it managed three times.

The U.S. lost in the bronze-medal game for the second straight year. The U.S. team was cruising through the tournament with eight straight wins until it was defeated by Germany in the semifinal 4-3 in overtime.

Rubins rallied Latvia with his first with 5:39 to go in the final period to tie the game at 3-3 and force overtime.

Roberts Bukarts and Janis Jaks also scored for Latvia.

Rocco Grimaldi scored twice for the U.S. in the opening period to negate Latvia’s 1-0 and 2-1 leads.

Matt Coronato had put the U.S. 3-2 ahead 6:19 into the final period.

Canada faces Germany in the final later Sunday.