MINNEAPOLIS — In a tense and dramatic rematch, Canada's national junior hockey team exacted a small measure of revenge, defeating Latvia 2-1 in overtime at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship on Saturday. The victory came exactly one year after Latvia stunned the hockey world with a shocking shootout win over Canada in Ottawa.
Overtime Heroics Seal the Win
Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael Hage emerged as the hero, scoring a power-play goal just 44 seconds into the extra period. Hage buried a one-timer off a setup from Gavin McKenna, who finished the game with two assists. The overtime opportunity was created after Latvia's Roberts Naudins was penalized for delay of game with less than two minutes remaining in the third period.
Goaltender Jack Ivankovic was solid in the Canadian net, making 26 saves to secure the win. Latvian netminder Nils Maurins was spectacular in a losing effort, turning aside 36 Canadian shots.
A Grudge Match Filled with Tension
The game carried significant emotional weight for the Canadian squad, which was playing the second of a back-to-back against a rested Latvian team—a mirror of the scheduling scenario from the 2024 upset. The memory of that loss, one of the biggest in tournament history, loomed large.
Canada opened the scoring in the second period on a five-minute major power play. Calgary Flames prospect Cole Reschny took a pass from McKenna, wheeled into the slot, and fired a shot past Maurins at the 2:22 mark. Canada had several chances to extend the lead, including a post from Tij Iginla, but could not solve Maurins again in regulation.
Latvia pushed back hard in the third period. With Ivankovic pulled for an extra attacker, Rudolfs Berzkalns tied the game with just 1:58 left on the clock, deftly kicking the puck from his skate to his stick before scoring, setting the stage for the late penalty and overtime drama.
Looking Ahead in the Tournament
With the narrow victory, Canada improves its record in the tournament to 2-0, following a 7-5 win over Czechia in its opening game on Friday. The team will continue its Group B schedule on Monday against Denmark before facing Finland on New Year's Eve.
The game was not without controversy off the ice. Canadian captain Porter Martone issued a public apology before the game for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty assessed after he tapped a Czech player on the backside following an empty-net goal on Friday. Additionally, Hockey Canada apologized for the team's failure to participate in the post-game handshake line with the Czech Republic, calling it an "oversight."
For Canada, the win represents a crucial, if not entirely convincing, two points and allows the team to turn the page on a painful chapter from last year's tournament while keeping its championship aspirations firmly on track.
