Key Highlights
- Canada dominated the game, outshooting Latvia 57-26.
- Latvian netminder Linards Feldbergs was phenomenal and a main reason why they were able to pull off the upset. Canada, just like against Czechia, had the opportunity to get redemption against the Latvians Saturday evening, but it was another nail-biter for Canadian hockey fans. The first period ended with no score for either side.
- Latvia was outshooting Canada for the majority of the opening frame, but a late flurry of chances gave Canada the 11-8 edge.
- However, Latvia had a lot of quality chances coming off turnovers, an area that plagued Canada in their opener against Czechia. It wasn’t an inspiring first 20 minutes, and Canada needed to come out in the second and exhibit their dominance. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCanada was gifted an opportunity to break the game open early in the second, after Latvian forward Martins Klaucans was assessed a game misconduct for an illegal check to the head on Zayne Parekh.
- As far as hit-to-the-head calls go, this was a rather soft call. Alas, it was a gift given by the referees, and Canada wasted no time on the five-minute power play. Calgary Flames 2025 first-rounder Cole Reschny is mainly out on the power play to win faceoffs.
