Team USA powers past Team Latvia at World Championships

While the top elite NHL teams fight to reach the Stanley Cup Final, NHLers who are not playing for the coveted trophy, have traveled to Sweden and Finland to play for their respective home countries in the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships.

After successfully defeating Team Austria, 5-3 on Saturday, Team USA increased their streak to two games by routing Team Latvia, 4-1 on Sunday.

Team USA has not lost to Team Latvia in a World Championship game since 2001, so it was no surprise that Tampa Bay Lightning's goalie Ben Bishop was given the start for the second day in a row.

The first period went scoreless, despite an early push from Latvia. Early on in the second period, Latvia's Artus Kulda (Winnipeg Jets) banked on momentum by beating Biship on a wrist shot.

USA didn't let the early lead bother them, as exactly a minute later Bobby Butler (Nashville Predators) tied the game. USA built on a power play opportunity a minute later when David Moss (Phoenix Coyotes)scored to give them the lead.

Latvia could not come back in the final period. Butler logged another goal halfway into the third period followed shortly by a goal from teammate Matt Hunwick (Colorado Avalanche). Latvia could not save their game, and Team USA was victorious with the 4-1 decision.

Team USA will next face off with Team Russia and the Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov.