GDT: Latvia Vs Canada | 7:30PM | Group A - Canadian Tire Centre

[Erikfromfin]

Just woke up and seeing the score

 

[TheTotalPackage]

That's my point exactly. People keep acting like Latvia is nothing and should celebrate every win like it's their last because they won't amount to something.

Good win for Latvia, expect more.

Latvia still is practically nothing. But at least they are starting to scratch the surface of becoming something.

 

[Divine]

Latvia still is practically nothing. But at least they are starting to scratch the surface of becoming something.

See I don't subscribe to that mentality. Why can't they win the whole tournament? Why even show up if you believe you have no shot.

 

[CycloneSweep]

I'd rather be upset by Latvia than anyone else, as they are just an awesome hockey country

I don’t hate getting upset by countries like that because wins like this mean so so much to countries like that. Losing to USA, Finland, Sweden, Russia upsets me more.

 

[Guess]

I'd rather be upset by Latvia than anyone else, as they are just an awesome hockey country

They play a very mature defensive style, I'd imagine this would cause individualistic teams like what we just saw to have trouble. Hopefully they can do some damage this tournament, would be a feel-good story.

 

[NyQuil]

I don't know anything really about the available juniors, but I do know that over the years, Canadian teams at all levels periodically decide "let's build a team that would do good in a 80 game schedule. That's solid make up".

In these short tournaments I'm a fan of bringing your 20 whatever most talented players and tell them that's exactly why you brought them.

aside from that, the Finland game should have been the warning - at least in my eyes. I saw a Canadian team that didn't do much until Finland picked up their game and then Canada pushed back. Not a good trait.

I think when Canada is at its best, is when the best and most talented players get together, leave egos at the door, and do what is necessary for the team to win, even if it means playing a checking role or seeing less ice time.

Taking only square pegs to go in square slots doesn’t leave a lot of flexibility.

 

[novisor]

Idk but leaving the OHL's leading scorer and possibly #1 pick in next year's draft off your CAMP invites let alone the ROSTER seems like a bad idea in retrospect when you can't score against Latvia.

 

[Ryder71]

Congrats to Latvia! Holy Cow!

 

[Prettyisland]

Doubtful since the game was at like 3 am local time

I’m sure they will have a replay of the game and it will be cool news to wake up to.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

Awesome to see how much that win meant for those Latvian players

 

[Chainshot]

Isn't Misa a forward?

Indeed he is.

 

[Divine]

Idk but leaving the OHL's leading scorer and possibly #1 pick in next year's draft off your CAMP invites let alone the ROSTER seems like a bad idea in retrospect when you can't score against Latvia.

And if Canada wins the tournament, no one will care. They were playing with 5D and haven't allowed an even strength goal all tournament.

If anything, this loss might suggest they can use better PKers.

 

[Namejs]

It's quite honestly hilarious a team full of top NHL prospects is even going to a shootout against a team full of players who will be playing division 72 somewhere in Europe in a year or two

This is what I hate about North American hockey fans.

This Latvian team has a bunch of top round prospects and the most talented generation in the history of Latvian hockey.

You have no idea what you're talking about.

 

[NyQuil]

my main point was in response to someone criticizing them celebrating like it was a big deal.

Whether or not it was in fact their biggest win doesnt really impact them main point of them being allowed to celebrate as its a big deal. I dont actually care if it is their biggest win or not as its not relevant to the point of the post.

Im going to block you now.

You’re blocking me because I brought up that Latvia won a bronze medal in 2023.

Ok sport.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Agreed

But they dominated the game, and two penalties were the difference. Latvia wasn’t scoring 5v5.

Realistically Canada should be putting up 8, 9, 10 goals against Latvia such that it won't matter if Latvia gets a couple on the powerplay.

When Misa, Sennecke, Hage, Cristall, Parekh, Yakemchuk are all sitting at home and they can only get 2 passed an average undrafted QMJHL goalie, there's going to be some questions being asked about some of the selections. At least untilt he team proves otherwise the rest of the way.

 

[JTB1974]

All proof as to how far the Latvian hockey program has come along.

We will see how they do vs the U.S. If they get blown out which I expect it will just show that this game had more to do with Canada's performance.

 

[Dust]

Dang, congrats to Latvia

 

[TheBeard]

Who was the Canadian women giving the middle fingers to Mateiko after he scored?? Go run on a a treadmill you fat bitch

Mike Hoffman's wife

 

[RegDunlop]

loll goodnight fking emembarrassing

Kick the garbage can!

 

[CycloneSweep]

See I don't subscribe to that mentality. Why can't they win the whole tournament? Why even show up if you believe you're going to play a few games and go home.

These teams show up to do their best and play their hearts and and HOPE for games like this. The skill level between them and the other countries are massive. They know it their fans know it everyone else knows it.
So they show up and do their best and make their countries proud. Expectations are different. So when they win a game like this, it means the world to their fans, their country and the players.
Expectations are wildly different and have been for a long time.
Wins like this can push these countries into stronger hockey countries.
This ain’t like the NHL playoffs where there is crazy parity. Canada is full of players good enough to be drafted. Countries like Latvia have 1 maybe 2.

 

[novisor]

And if Canada wins the tournament, no one will care. They were playing with 5D and haven't allowed an even strength goal all tournament.

If anything, this loss might suggest they can use better PKers.

If they win, sure. PK shouldn't be an issue against Latvia. You should be worried about hitting double digits, no offence to Latvia.

 

[Starry Knight]

Watching USA with Hutson was a spectacle. Yes, he missed assignments defensively, but when you get 5 assists and could have had more, no one cares.

And Canada leaves Parekh in Saginaw while having Oliver Bonk, a defensive defenceman, running the first powerplay unit. Hubris by hockey Canada, but what can you expect from awful management.

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

Awesome to see how much that win meant for those Latvian players

Not only them but imagine people back home, young kids watching this & falling in love with the sport.

 

[New User Name]

I want to believe this is a joke.

It is, just trying to make a few sad people laugh.

 

[Quinning]

These teams show up to do their best and play their hearts and and HOPE for games like this. The skill level between them and the other countries are massive. They know it their fans know it everyone else knows it.
So they show up and do their best and make their countries proud. Expectations are different. So when they win a game like this, it means the world to their fans, their country and the players.
Expectations are wildly different and have been for a long time.
Wins like this can push these countries into stronger hockey countries.
This ain’t like the NHL playoffs where there is crazy parity. Canada is full of players good enough to be drafted. Countries like Latvia have 1 maybe 2.

There is probably more than one kid in Latvia who will make the NHL one day after watching this on TV and begging their parents to sign them up. That's how significant this is.