Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Woe, Canada: World junior host stunned by Latvia

Written by 
Published in Hockey
Friday, 27 December 2024 22:11

OTTAWA, Ontario -- Eriks Mateiko scored the lone goal of a shootout in the eighth round to give Latvia a stunning 3-2 victory over host Canada on Friday night in the world junior hockey championship.

Mateiko beat Jack Ivankovic to the blocker side to end the tiebreaker after the first 15 shooters failed to score, completing a monumental upset so big that ESPN BET had Latvia as a +4000 money line pick to win.

"We found a way," coach Artis Abols said after Latvia's third victory in 38 games in the tournament. "In one hockey game, everything is possible."

Mateiko and Peteris Bulans scored late power-play goals in the Group A game at Canadian Tire Centre. Mateiko tied it at 1 with 6:42 left and Bulans evened it at 2 with 2:29 to go.

Linards Feldbergs stopped 55 shots for Latvia in its tournament opener.

"I'm still in shock," Feldbergs told nhl.com. "I think I'd need like one hour to process this ... everything that happened on the ice."

Calum Ritchie and Jett Luchanko scored for Canada. Ivankovic made 24 saves.

Canada took a penalty for too many men on the ice in 3-on-3 overtime, but survived that short-handed situation to force the shootout.

"Devastating," Canadian defenseman Tanner Molendyk said. "An eye-opener. It's not one you want to lose, not one you see yourself losing."

Ivankovic became the third 17-year-old goaltender to play for Canada at the under-20 tournament and the first to start a game since Jimmy Waite in 1987.

In the other group A game, Finland defeated Germany 3-1. Emil Pieniniemi, Arttu Alasiurua and Jesse Kiiskinen scored, and Petteri Rimpinen made 31 saves to help Finland rebound from an opening 4-0 loss to Canada on Thursday night.

The defending champion United States opened Group A play Thursday night with a 10-4 victory over Germany. The Americans will face Latvia on Saturday.

In Group B at TD Place, Sweden routed Kazakhstan 8-1 and Slovakia edged Switzerland 2-1.

Anton Wahlberg scored one of Sweden's five-period goals and had another in the second.

Victor Eklund, David Edstrom, Linus Eriksson, Felix Nilsson, Oskar Vuollet and David Granberg also scored, and Marcus Gidlof made 15 saves for Sweden, coming off a 5-2 victory over Slovakia on Thursday in its opener.

Jan Chovan broke a third-period tie for Slovakia.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read 100 times

Soccer

Ancelotti rules out Madrid rift, won't talk future

Ancelotti rules out Madrid rift, won't talk future

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCarlo Ancelotti has denied there's any rift behind the scenes at Re...

USMNT's Richards sent off in Palace draw

USMNT's Richards sent off in Palace draw

Bournemouth had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace in the Premier League at Selhurst Pa...

Lyon strike late to edge Arsenal in UWCL semi

Lyon strike late to edge Arsenal in UWCL semi

Kadi Diani and Melchie Dumornay handed Arsenal a rare defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday as...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Bucks' Lillard expected back in G2 or G3

Sources: Bucks' Lillard expected back in G2 or G3

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMilwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard is expected to return to action...

Mavs proud as 'tumultuous' year ends in play-in

Mavs proud as 'tumultuous' year ends in play-in

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Anthony Davis limped to the Dallas Mavericks' ben...

Baseball

Tigers place P Brebbia on IL with triceps strain

Tigers place P Brebbia on IL with triceps strain

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Detroit Tigers placed right-hander John Brebbia on the 15-day i...

'How do we get better?' How Padres' October disappointment inspired 2025 success

'How do we get better?' How Padres' October disappointment inspired 2025 success

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLast October, the San Diego Padres came within one game of knocking...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated