The Czech Republic has defeated Latvia 4-2 in the men's ice hockey tournament at the Sochi Winter Olympics to restore their hopes of earning top spot in their group ahead of the quarter-finals.
© Getty Images
The Czechs took the lead in the 11th minute, Martin Erat slapping the puck through the goaltender's legs from distance.
Controversy then struck just a few minutes later when Janis Sprukts's shot saw the puck fly into the middle of the goal, hit the in-goal camera and bounce back out.
No Latvian players celebrated, and play continued for a couple of minutes before finally the officials were alerted, watched the video replay and awarded the goal.
In the 20th minute, Jaromir Jagr gave the Czechs the lead again, but Latvia pulled them back again within a few minutes, courtesy of Herberts Vasiljevs.
Jakub Voracek and Marek Zidlicky struck in the 28th and 38th minute respectively, with the Czechs not relinquishing their lead again in the match.
The win was the first of the three-game preliminary round for a Czech team looking to return to the Olympic podium for the first time since winning the bronze medal at the Turin Winter Olympics eight years ago.
They lost their first game 4-2 to Sweden two days ago, and will be in action again tomorrow against Switzerland.
Giuseppe Labellarte
