Latvia defeats Canada in a shootout

Eriks Mateiko scored the winning goal in the 8th round of a penalty shootout to give Latvia a 3-2 win over Canada in Ottawa tonight, the country’s first win against Canada at the World Juniors.

But while Mateiko drew attention for his heroics, goalkeeper Linards Feldbergs was even more spectacular, stopping 55 of 57 shots and stopping all eight Canadian shooters in the PSS.

“It’s one hockey game and anything can happen,” said coach Artis Abols. “Our goalkeeper was good; we worked hard; we had success on the power play. We found a way to slow them down. This means a lot to us… and it means nothing because two points alone are nothing. We’re happy tonight, but tomorrow we play against the same opponent (USA), so we have to start preparing.

 

Captain Peteris Bulans had tied the game at 2-2 at 17:31 of the third period with a dangerous point shot in the power play, crowning a three-point power play scoring spree that enabled the underdogs to get back into the game.

Calum Ritchie’s power-play shot at 14:22 of the third period had given Canada a 2-1 lead, and Latvia had tied the game at 1-1 on their own just a minute earlier. Bruno Osmanis played a beautiful pass to Eriks Mateiko, who directed the puck into the open net and made the Latvian bench celebrate. Never before had they played such a close game with Canada at the World Junior Championships.

Canada loses 1-1 in Group A in Ottawa as the World Junior Championships conclude on the second day. Latvia played their first game and will have a chance to beat another favorite tomorrow night in a tough battle with the United States.

The Canadians now have a day off before playing against Germany on Sunday.

Latvia’s squad consists of no fewer than four players born in 2008 (with most World Juniors born in 2005 or 2006): Olivers Murnieks, Martins Klaucans, Rudolfs Berzkalns and Roberts Naudins. Murnieks perhaps had the best chance in the early stages, racing straight towards goal and forcing Jack Ivankovic into a fine save.

Beyond that, it was a tepid and uneventful 20 minutes, with Canada’s lackluster play perhaps reflecting the fact that it spent too long gloating over last night’s impressive and important 4-0 win over Finland.

“After the first half, we started to believe each other and believe that we can beat a big team like Canada,” Abols continued. “They are always the favorites in every tournament, especially at this level. The distance between them and us is even greater than at the adult level. Our tactics tonight, the way we played for each other and showed discipline, everything was a success.” “

Canada took the lead early in the second period with a shorthanded goal, which was strange to say the least. The Cannadians cleared the puck up the ice, but when Jett Luchanko ran hard to chase it down, Latvia goalie Linards Feldbergs stayed in his crease. Luchanko reached the puck, made a move and pushed the puck into the goal at 3:28 minutes.

The goal was reminiscent of Akil Thomas’s winning goal at the 2020 World Junior Championships, when Russian goalkeeper Amir Miftakhov also appeared to be glued to his goal crease.

Despite that blunder, Feldbergs was in the zone all night, stopping everything Canada threw at him. The Latvians showed little offensive ability, but the Feldbergs kept the score close.