World Juniors whammy: Canada upset by Latvia in shootout

With just days left in 2024, Latvia pulled off one of the biggest sports upsets of the year at the IIHF World Juniors hockey tournament on Friday.

Canada put 56 shots on net and Latvian goaltender Linards Feldbergs stopped 54 of them — along with all eight of Canada’s shootout attempts — as Latvia stunned a Canadian crowd in Ottawa, earning a 3-2 win over the host team.

In the previous four meetings between the two teams at the tournament, Canada had outscored Latvia 41-4. This was the first time Latvia had ever beaten Canada at the tournament.

Penalties once again proved to be an issue for the Canadian team. After giving Finland five power-play opportunities in a 4-0 win on Boxing Day, Canada was in the box seven times against Latvia. It was with the man advantage that Latvia did its damage in regulation time, with the team scoring both of their goals on the power play.

Read more:

• Maddox Schultz, 14, setting the pace in U18
• The Green Zone: Craig Reynolds year-ender
• Catton, Yager and Price set to continue hockey journey together at WJHC

Neither team mustered any offense in the first period, ending scoreless. Top NHL prospect defenceman Matthew Schaefer left the game in the first period after the Canadian skater put a shot on the net but went full speed into the post and then hard into the boards. He did not return.

With Berkly Catton in the box due to a high-sticking call in the second period, Canada scored shorthanded with Jett Luchanko scoring for the home team.

🚨Jett Luchanko scores short-handed to break the silence! 👌#LATCAN #WorldJuniors #IIHF @HockeyCanada pic.twitter.com/wmBGxiGpg3

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) December 28, 2024

With Latvia on the power play, Eriks Mateiko scored at the 13:18 mark of the final frame to tie things up.

Canada got back on top just 1:04 after that goal, with Calum Ritchie putting the puck past Feldbergs.

Canada head coach Dave Cameron speaks to his players during third period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship preliminary round action against Latvia in Ottawa on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)

But once again with a man advantage, Latvia got a puck past Canadian goaltender Jack Ivankovic from a shot by Peteris Bulans.

In overtime, neither team could score a deciding goal, even with Canada taking a too-many-men penalty with 43 seconds remaining.

So things went to a shootout, which saw each goalie stop the first seven skaters they saw.

Unfortunately for Canada, Feldberg stopped the eighth Canadian shooter while Mateiko’s shot found the back of the net, stunning the crowd.

🚨LATVIA UPSETS CANADA!😱#LATCAN #WorldJuniors #IIHF @lhf_lv pic.twitter.com/LOTNlxU4JB

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) December 28, 2024

Canada 1-0-0-1 will have Saturday off before facing Germany (0-0-2-0) on Sunday.

On Saturday, Latvia (0-1-0-0) will take on the United States (1-0-0-0).

Read more:

• Maddox Schultz, 14, setting the pace in U18
• The Green Zone: Craig Reynolds year-ender
• Catton, Yager and Price set to continue hockey journey together at WJHC