CANADA 10 LATVIA 2
TORONTO – Taylor Raddysh scored four goals and Matt Barzal chipped in with a pair as Canada dumped Latvia 10-2 on Thursday night to remain unbeaten at the world junior hockey championship.
Captain Dylan Strome had four assists as Canada improved its preliminary round record to 3-0-0. Latvia, which has been outscored 25-4 in the tournament, fell to 0-3-0.
The victory moved Canada into a first-place tie with the United States in Group B. The Americans, who edged Russia 3-2 earlier in the day, will meet the host team in a New Year’s Eve showdown at Air Canada Centre.
Latvia played at a good pace in the early going and actually outshot Canada 10-9 in the opening period.
Barzal woke up the quiet Toronto crowd at 10:38 with a short-handed goal. He sped past two Latvian players at the blue line and flipped the puck over the outstretched pad of Latvian netminder Mareks Mitens.
Canada made it 2-0 just over a minute later as Nicolas Roy tipped in a blast from Philippe Myers at the point.
(The Canadian Press)
In the 1st period. It really looked like Canada thought that Latvia would roll over and play dead �� Fortunately Canada woke up and started playing like the team they are. No doubt they will have intensity and be inspired at the drop of the puck against the U.S.
Canada needs to stay out of the penalty box and play with a sense of urgency. If not the Americans will win Saturdays game.
Go Canada ����.