MINNEAPOLIS — A year ago to the day, Latvia shocked Canada’s world junior team 3-2 in an eight-round shootout in front of home fans in Ottawa.
As fate would have it, goaltender Jack Ivankovic was once again Canada’s starter on Saturday evening, this time, however, avenging that defeat with a 26-save effort as Michael Hage scored on an overtime power-play goal in a narrow 2-1 victory.
That came after Latvia had tied the game with just less than two minutes left in the third period, but then was penalized moments later for shooting the puck over the glass.
While it was far from the dominant victory the Canadians would’ve preferred, captain Porter Martone said it was important to flip the script after last year’s demoralizing loss, much as they did the previous game against Czechia on .
“This year, we stuck with it,” he said. “We got away. That’s huge for our group.”
Latvia’s Markuss Sieradzkis believed he earned the game’s first goal on a mad scramble around Ivankovic’s crease, but the officials waved it off due to the puck being kicked in.
Canada picked up the pace thereafter, outshooting Latvia 11-7 in the first period, but struggled to gain the middle of the ice against a rigid and structured defence.
In the second frame, Canada was gifted a five-minute power play after Martins Klaucens was called for a check to the head of Zayne Parekh. Cole Reschny immediately cashed in to take the game’s first lead, but the power play fizzled out the rest of the way.
The pendulum soon swung the other way, as defenceman Ben Danford was booked for a four-minute high-sticking penalty on Kristians Utnans. But the penalty-kill took care of business, and Canada carried a 25-18 shot advantage into the final period.
Canada won the territorial battle decisively in the final 20 minutes, but additional offence was in short supply.
That opened the door for Latvia’s Rudolfs Berzkalns to bury the dramatic tying goal in a net-front scramble with just 1:58 remaining in regulation, delivering a gut punch to the Canadian faithful at 3M Arena.
“It happens in a game,” coach Dale Hunter said of the surrendered lead. “It’s a cat-and-mouse game out there again. It’s what you do after that really counts.”
In that regard, Canada can hold its head high. Following the last-minute delay-of-game minor to Latvia, Canada eventually capitalized when Hage wired home a one-timer from the left circle 44 seconds into overtime.
It didn’t feel like a coincidence that it was Hage, though. The Montreal Canadiens first-rounder has been one of Canada’s best players through two games, continually finding ways to get the puck to the net.
“He’s a special player,” Ivankovic said of his University of Michigan teammate. “When you give him so much time and space, the puck is gonna be in the net.”
Alarmingly quiet start
For the second straight game, Canada failed to put itself in the driver’s seat from the start.
Canada had just three shots through the first half of the opening frame, while Latvia successfully pressured their defenders into several high-risk turnovers.
Harrison Brunicke in particular looked unsure throughout the game, with his clearing attempt up the middle of the ice leading to Latvia’s disallowed goal in the first period.
On several occasions, Canada’s blueliners flipped pucks through the centre, only for them to be picked off and thrown toward Ivankovic.
While Canada’s forwards got on their horses in the final half of the opening frame, Latvia deployed an unflinching zone defence, largely limiting the Canadians to aimless passes through the slot.
“They played a strong game the way they trap in the neutral zone, their forecheck, getting pucks out,” Reschny said. “They play hard, they’re a good team.”
While Canada were forced to make passes in search of shooting lanes, their shot attempts were also regularly thwarted by fearless and aggressive shot blocking.
“That’s part of their identity,” Reschny said. “Part of that’s on us, too. We got to get pucks through.”
Almost everything that did reach the goal was calmly handled by Latvian netminder Nils Maurins, who stopped 37 shots.
“Goalie played pretty well, too,” Reschny added.
Ivankovic’s net
A year ago to the day, goaltender Jack Ivankovic became the first 17-year-old Canadian goaltender to start a game at the world juniors since Jimmy Waite in 1987.
Once again Canada’s starter on Saturday night, Ivankovic avenged last tournament’s shocking defeat with a steady game from start to finish.
Hunter declined to name his starting goalie ahead of the game, but following the goal-fest that was Canada’s Boxing Day matchup with Czechia, it made sense to give Carter George a day off.
Ivankovic’s start bore great resemblance to last year’s struggle against Latvia, but he insisted the deja vu was at a minimum.
“It’s just another game,” he said. “We all live to play hockey and be at this tournament. No one really is too focused on last year’s team.”
Even after allowing the tying goal to lose his shutout bid, Ivankovic said resetting wasn’t an issue.
“I don’t get really too worried about anything,” he said. “Goal goes in late, goal goes in early, you just reset. It’s not the end of the world.”
The Nashville Predators prospect wasn’t challenged the same way George was against Czechia, but a shutout performance gives Canada all the reason to ride the hot hand.
Plenty of possession, few chances
There was no question as to which team possessed the puck more. Canada often skated circles around the Latvia zone, but that was often where things stagnated.
Apart from the increasingly reliable line of Gavin McKenna, Hage, and Brady Martin, Canada struggled to create quality chances around Latvia’s net.
Canada’s horses were more than able to hang on to the puck around the perimeter, but clean passes into the slot were difficult to come by.
Canada now has a day off, with their next test coming on Monday against Denmark, who they defeated 13-2 in pre-tournament action.