BEDARD NOTCHES TWO ASSISTS IN CANADA’S 4-2 WIN OVER LATVIA

PLANO, Texas – Mason McTavish had two goals and an assist and 15-year-old Connor Bedard added two helpers as Canada doubled up Latvia 4-2 on Wednesday at the under-18 men’s hockey championship.

Latvian goaltender Karlis Mezsargs made it difficult for the Canadians (2-0-0), who opened their tournament with a 12-1 win over Sweden a day earlier.

Mezsargs stopped 17 shots in the first period to keep the game scoreless, and 48-of-52 overall to give Canada its first test.

Logan Stankoven had a goal and an assist while Dylan Guenther rounded out the Canadian offence.

Canada’s Benjamin Gaudreau turned aside 25 shots.

Anri Ravinskis and Sandis Vilmanis scored for Latvia (0-2-0).

Captain Shane Wright, who had a hat trick against the Swedes, and defenceman Corson Ceulemans didn’t dress against Latvia for precautionary reasons not related to COVID-19.

Also on Wednesday, Finland (2-0-0) held on for a 6-5 win against the Czech Republic (1-1).

Canada has an off day before returning to the ice Friday against Switzerland (1-1-0).

(Canadian Press/Photo: Hockey Canada)