With his nation on the verge of playing its biggest hockey game, Predators defenseman Karlis Skrastins is on his way back to Nashville. 

Skrastins made a heroic effort to play his third game in as many nights, and helped Latvia rally from a three-goal deficit to earn a 6-6 tie against favored Slovakia. 
The tie kept Latvia (1-0-1) unbeaten in Olympic qualifying play and set up a showdown against Germany tomorrow. A Latvian victory in that contest would advance the team to the main Olympic draw, a fairly shocking accomplishment for Skrastins' country. 

''This will be a great chance to get into the Olympics, to the main pool and play against all the great players - all-star players,'' Skrastins said. ''It would be good for our national team and for the fans back home watching on television.'' 

Unfortunately, Skrastins won't be able to participate. Because the NHL season didn't break for Olympic qualifying games, Skrastins will return to Nashville for tomorrow's game against Florida. 

"My job is just to play,'' Skrastins said. ''Those are the NHL rules.'' 

Skrastins will be playing tomorrow against Florida defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh, another Latvian who played last night and won't be able to play at the Olympics tomorrow. 

''We're going to be playing against one another and asking what the score is in the Olympics,'' Skrastins said. 

Skrastins had played in Nashville on Friday and in Columbus on Saturday. He woke at 5 a.m. yesterday and took a flight that brought him to Salt Lake City at 10 a.m. 

''I was a little tired, but I didn't want to think about that,'' he said. ''This was an Olympic game, and maybe the one time in my life I'd help get to the main pool.'' 
Latvia's tie came at the expense of two other members of the Predators' organization: defenseman Richard Lintner (now playing in Sweden) and prospect goalie Jan Lasak. 

Slovakia (0-1-1), upset earlier by Germany, saw its chances of advancing end. Lintner - an alternate captain - finished plus-1 and earned an assist. 
Lasak had mixed success after entering the game with 14:58 left in the second period. He stopped five of Latvia's first six shots and saw Slovakia rally to take a 6-3 lead, but then surrendered three goals in the final 21 minutes. 

''It's a huge disappointment,'' Lasak said. 

''When we were ahead 6-3, I felt good in net. But I made some mistakes - it was tough.''