In a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over Latvia at the World Junior Championship in Minneapolis, Canada edged out a resilient Latvian squad thanks to Michael Hage’s power-play goal just 44 seconds into the extra frame. Cole Reschny opened the scoring early in the second period with a power-play tally, while Gavin McKenna continued his strong play with two more assists, bringing his tournament total to four. Jack Ivankovic stood tall in net with 26 saves, helping Canada improve to 2-0-0-0 in Group B. Latvia, playing their tournament opener, showed impressive fight as Rudolfs Berzkalns tied the game late in the third with a rebound goal, and goaltender Nils Maurins turned aside 36 shots in a strong debut. The result came exactly one year after Latvia stunned Canada in a shootout, but this time the Canadians prevailed despite the close contest. Latvia’s performance highlights their rapid rise as a competitive force in junior hockey, underscoring that fans should stop dismissing Canada’s struggles or second-guessing roster choices. Latvia is genuinely getting better, and close games like this reflect their growing strength rather than any shortcomings on Canada’s side.
It was also different watching a game with Canada and rooting for the other team to win. Blackfalds Bulldog Krisjanis Sarts was awesome in the game and even got an assist.
The Latvians thought they’d opened the scoring with under six minutes left in the first, but video review confirmed that Markuss Sieradzkis had kicked the puck in and it was overturned.
Shots on goal in the first period were 11-8 for Canada
Cole Reschny got Canada on the board at 2:22 of the second period with the assists going to Gavin McKenna and Harrison Brunicke.–It took just 39 seconds in the PP for Reschny to capitalize, taking a pass from McKenna, stickhandling to the slot and zapping a wrist shot past Maurins. This was on a 5 minute penalty that Latvia got for bodychecking🙄 A 17 year old kid got the boot for bodychecking an NHL player.
Shots on goal in the second period were 14-11 for Canada
Lativia got on the board with 1:58 left in the game when Muskegon Lumberjack Rudolfs Berzkalns scored. The helpers on the goal went to Blackfalds Bulldog Krisjanis Sarts and Brooks Bandit Dmitrijs Dilevka– The never-say-die Latvians tied the game with 1:58 left in regulation. Berzkalns barged to the net to bang in the rebound from Krisjanis Sarts long shot, sparking an ecstatic goal celebration.
Latvia was called for delay of game when Roberts Naudins flipped the puck over the glass in his own zone with 51 seconds left. Heroic shot-blocking on the Latvian PK got the game to overtime, but victory would be Canada’s.
Shots on goal in the third period were 11-8 for Canada
Michael Hage scored the winner in Overtime just 44 seconds in with the assists on the goal going to Gavin McKenna and Zayne Parekh.–On a 4-on-3 power play, Hage, in the left faceoff circle, one-timed home a nice cross-ice feed from Gavin McKenna. It was McKenna’s second assist of the game and fourth tournament point.
Shots on goal in overtime were 2-0 for Canada. The Canadians outshot the Latvians 38-27 in the game
Jack Ivankovic stopped 26 of the 27 shots that he faced for the win for the Canadians. For the Latvians Omaha Lancer Nils Roberts Maurins stopped 36 of the 38 shots that he faced.
Attendance was 4146
Canada’s next game is Monday December 29th against Denmark
