Key Takeaways
- Team Canada is looking to build on their tournament-opening win over Czechia as they face Latvia on Saturday afternoon
- Canada trailed by a goal in the second period and was tied 4-4 in the third, but came back to win 7-5 against Czechia
- Zayne Parekh, a defenceman selected No. 9 overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2024 draft, was Canada’s player of the game despite feeling under the weather
- Canada is seeking revenge against Latvia, who defeated them in a shootout last year in Ottawa
- Latvia has yet to play at this year’s World Juniors and is coming off a 3-1 loss to Sweden in their pre-tournament schedule
Introduction to the Matchup
Team Canada is set to take on Latvia on Saturday afternoon, looking to build on their tournament-opening win over Czechia. The matchup will be broadcast live on TSN1, TSN4, TSN.ca, and the TSN App at 4:30pm ET/1:30pm PT, with pre-game coverage beginning 30 minutes prior. Canada’s win over Czechia was a hard-fought one, with the team coming back from a goal down in the second period and a tie game in the third to win 7-5. The victory was a significant one, not just because it gave Canada three points to start the tournament, but also because it provided a measure of revenge against a team that had eliminated them in the quarter-finals in each of the past two tournaments.
Canada’s Comeback Win Over Czechia
Canada’s win over Czechia was a testament to the team’s resilience and determination. Trailing by a goal in the second period, Canada fought back to tie the game, and then took the lead in the third period thanks to a goal from Tij Iginla. Ethan MacKenzie added an insurance goal soon after, and Canada held on to win the game. Michael Hage had a team-high three points, including one goal and two assists, while Zayne Parekh carried a heavy offensive load with two goals. Brady Martin and Gavin McKenna, the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, also had two points apiece. Parekh, who was selected No. 9 overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2024 draft, was Canada’s player of the game despite feeling under the weather.
Parekh’s Player of the Game Performance
Parekh’s performance was all the more impressive given that he was not feeling well. He told TSN’s Mark Masters that he had to "pump a bunch of electrolytes into me and some meds" in order to feel better, but he was able to gut it out and deliver a strong performance. His two goals were a key factor in Canada’s win, and he was recognized as the team’s player of the game. Parekh’s performance is a testament to his dedication and toughness, and it will be interesting to see how he follows up his strong outing against Latvia.
Revenge Against Latvia
Canada’s matchup against Latvia is not just about getting another win, but also about seeking revenge for last year’s defeat. Latvia defeated Canada 3-2 in an eight-round shootout in Ottawa, one of the bigger round-robin upsets in recent tournament history. Canada leads the all-time head-to-head series 4-1, outscoring Latvia 41-4 in the other four victories prior to last year’s defeat. McKenna, one of Canada’s top players, told reporters before the tournament that his team was out to settle the score against the Czechs, and it’s likely that they will be looking to do the same against Latvia. Canada will be heavily favored against Latvia, but they will need to be careful not to take their opponents lightly.
Latvia’s Preparation
Latvia has yet to play at this year’s World Juniors, and their last game was on Monday, when they wrapped up their pre-tournament schedule with a 3-1 loss to Sweden. Despite this, they will be looking to pull off an upset against Canada, just as they did last year. Latvia will need to be at the top of their game if they are to have any chance of beating Canada, but they will be motivated by the opportunity to cause an upset and make a statement in the tournament. Canada, on the other hand, will need to be focused and disciplined if they are to come away with a win and build on their strong start to the tournament.
