Canada bounced back big time from that gut-punch loss to Slovakia, hammering Latvia 6-0 in their under-18 worlds game today in Trencin. Vandenberg lit the lamp just 52 seconds in, Lawrence made it 2-0 before the first intermission, and then the floodgates really opened with Valentini, Zhilkin on the power play, Eshkawkogan, and Olsen into the empty net to seal it—Canada outshot them 48-19 and looked like the powerhouse everyone expected. Carter Esler was lights-out in goal with a 19-save shutout, stepping in after Gavin Betts took a lower-body hit in the opener against Slovakia the night before and had to leave early. As for Betts, it’s still a wait-and-see deal—no one’s come out and said he’s done for the whole tournament yet, but with Esler proving he can handle the load like that, Canada’s not exactly sweating it too hard heading into the Norway game.
Canada makes it 1-0 game just 52 seconds into the game when Nepean, Ontario native and Ottawa 67’s centreman Thomas Vandendberg scored.–Just 52 seconds in, Thomas Vandenberg pounced on the rebound and banked it home, giving Canada an electric early lead they never looked back from
Fredericton, New Brunswick’s Tynan Lawrence made it a 2-0 game for the Canadians at 12:59 of the first period. The assist on the goal went to Saginaw Spirit’s Dima Zhilkin.–Tynan Lawrence made it 2-0 by winning an offensive-zone faceoff, then receiving a quick pass back after some strong board work drew the defender out of position, before sliding a smooth backdoor shot across the crease and in.
Shots on goal in the first period were 14-8 for Canada
Adam Valentini makes it 3-0 for Canada at 1:22 of the second period unassisted.–Adam Valentini went end-to-end on a dazzling solo rush, weaving through the Latvian defenders before finishing with a slick forehand-to-backhand deke to extend Canada’s lead.
Shots at the end of the second period were 20-7 for Canada
Dima Zhilkin makes it a 4-0 game for Canada at 8:13 of the third period while Canada was on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to Adam Valentini and Ryan Lin.–Dima Zhilkin finished a slick power-play passing sequence, burying a precise one-timer from the slot (set up by Adam Valentini and the rest of the unit) to make it 4-0 for Canada.
5-0 Canada at 17:05 of the third period when Ottawa 67’s Kohyn Eshkawkogan scored. The assists on the goal went to Carter Hicks and Alessandro Di Iorio.–Kohyn Eshkawkogan scored Canada’s fifth goal with a strike from the point late in the third period,
Saskatoon Blade Zach Olsen makes it 6-0 with only 15 seconds left in the game. The assists on the goal went to Lucas Ambrosio and Thomas Rosseau.
Shots on goal in the third period were 14-4 for Canada. Canada outshot Latvia 42-19 in the game.
Carter Esler stopped all 19 shots he faced for the shutout win for Canada. For Team Latvia Ilja Nikitins who played for the Philadelphia Rebels of the NAHL last season stopped 42 of the 48 shots that he faced in the game.
Canada’s next game is Saturday against Norway
