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

[glue]

You say like it's been a long drought. Yeah Canada had no medal last year but has won 3 of the last 4 before that...

Canadian Hockey is all good. This team could have Connor Bedard (2nd best WJC performer of all time), Celebrini (PPG NHL player), Benson (NHL regular),Sennecke, Misa, Yakemchuk & Parekh on it.

So TC could create the two best forward lines in the tournament with eligible players not here...

The only problem with Canadian hockey are the dimwitted dinosaurs who run Hockey Canada. In spite of that we still win more than anyone else.

Ultimately that's probably a good thing for competitive international Hockey.

Oh I don’t disagree this tourney is never a ‘true’ best on best and certainly Canada has easily been the most dominant country overall at the WHJC - even in recent years. My comment was purely suggesting that I don’t believe they are recovering from that loss this tourney, to me that was ultimately a choke job. As a Leaf fan I’ve seen that plenty

 

[Crosby2010]

They beat Finland 4-0 already lol

Yeah, I know, so?

You need a lesson in 1970's geopolitics if you are equating the Soviet Union with tiny little Latvia. In any event, I would argue that sports are one of the few activities that hostile nations can meet at, and possibly learn to appreciate each other a little bit.

I didn't think that Canada was that bad. Latvia played a really good game, and their goalie was flawless. Was kind of surprised at the lack of skill shown by the Canadians in the shootout, and their PP could've been better. Latvia took a couple of dumb penalties that left the door open for Canada, but Latvia was really good at clogging up the middle and clearing what few rebounds there were.


I thought the CAN goaltender was fine. Two PP goals, and he stopped 7 SO attempts.

I am not equating them as if they are the same rivalry wise with us, or that they can produce the same talent. I am saying that at least back in the day we had some passion to beat the other countries. Now its all ho-hum, oh well, hey isn't that nice to see Latvia celebrate type of thing. It's weak. Wayne Gretzky in 2002 as you may remember said similar things I am saying in his rant. He said that we don't hate the other countries as much as they hate us. This is Gretzky saying this, and we can perhaps learn from his competitiveness, you know? Start having some resentment against these guys. They are playing YOUR game in YOUR barn and had their anthem play on YOUR ice after beating you. Show some national pride. That should anger all of the players on that team.

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

he had a bad try in the shootout but can we cut the nonsense jesus just cause he's a leaf

What lol? Has nothing to do with a him being a leaf.

He was selfish as f*** yesterday, I don't even care about the shootout, he tried something and it didn't work.

But his play in the actual game? Woof.

Maybe it's you who is being so sensitive because he is a leaf?

 

[57special]

Yeah, I know, so?



I am not equating them as if they are the same rivalry wise with us, or that they can produce the same talent. I am saying that at least back in the day we had some passion to beat the other countries. Now its all ho-hum, oh well, hey isn't that nice to see Latvia celebrate type of thing. It's weak. Wayne Gretzky in 2002 as you may remember said similar things I am saying in his rant. He said that we don't hate the other countries as much as they hate us. This is Gretzky saying this, and we can perhaps learn from his competitiveness, you know? Start having some resentment against these guys. They are playing YOUR game in YOUR barn and had their anthem play on YOUR ice after beating you. Show some national pride. That should anger all of the players on that team.

I'm Canadian, and I was delighted by the Latvian victory. They showed great determination, smarts, and courage. Guess what... I don't think they "hate" Canada. They are simply a team that bonded for one special moment.

It's a game. Celebrate the wins, and be gracious losers.

Still think the coaching staff needs to go. I want to see Parekh, Cristall, and Sennecke out there, not Tanner Howe and Cataford.

 

[Crosby2010]

I'm Canadian, and I was delighted by the Latvian victory. They showed great determination, smarts, and courage. Guess what... I don't think they "hate" Canada. They are simply a team that bonded for one special moment.

It's a game. Celebrate the wins, and be gracious losers.

Still think the coaching staff needs to go. I want to see Parekh, Cristall, and Sennecke out there, not Tanner Howe and Cataford.

And that's the problem right there, you should not be happy that a country that is normally relegated just beat you on your home turf. It shouldn't bring you joy. We are soft as a country, and it shows in our hockey program and our fans.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

What lol? Has nothing to do with a him being a leaf.

He was selfish as f*** yesterday, I don't even care about the shootout, he tried something and it didn't work.

But his play in the actual game? Woof.

Maybe it's you who is being so sensitive because he is a leaf?

He was one of many players on the team that didn't have a great game....he was really good the night before against Finland. Nadeau just did nothing while Cowan was out there trying to do to much. It doesn't define either player, the entire team wasn't good enough.

 

[BigBadBoar]

I'm Canadian, and I was delighted by the Latvian victory. They showed great determination, smarts, and courage. Guess what... I don't think they "hate" Canada. They are simply a team that bonded for one special moment.

It's a game. Celebrate the wins, and be gracious losers.

Still think the coaching staff needs to go. I want to see Parekh, Cristall, and Sennecke out there, not Tanner Howe and Cataford.

Yeah, thinking that the Latvians "hate" Canada is beyond absurd. They would celebrate a win over the US or Sweden exactly the same way. I would say the only hockey nation many Latvia fans feel certain adversity to is Russia, due to obvious historical context. Save for that, Latvia has some of the most friendly fans in the world and their players are usually cool guys too.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Yeah, thinking that the Latvians "hate" Canada is beyond absurd. They would celebrate a win over the US or Sweden exactly the same way. I would say the only hockey nation many Latvia fans feel certain adversity to is Russia, due to obvious historical context. Save for that, Latvia has some of the most friendly fans in the world and their players are usually cool guys too.

Latvian fans are honestly amazing. Still have fond memories of their fans when the worlds were in Halifax in 2008. Just true love of the game and deeply passionate....and know how to have a great time.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Absolutely love it, those boys gonna be telling this story 50 years from now

 

[57special]

And that's the problem right there, you should not be happy that a country that is normally relegated just beat you on your home turf. It shouldn't bring you joy. We are soft as a country, and it shows in our hockey program and our fans.

You're hysterical - "soft as a country"? It's one preliminary game in a junior hockey tournament.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Shame TSN highlights don't even have 1 highlight save from the Latvian goalie

Not trying to be disrespectful to the kid who obviously had to battle all night and had a very high save total but were there really any highlight level saves? You expect a couple more or at least from pure volume but they (Cowan stood out especially) did a lot of dancing around and then ripping shots from distance. During the scramble moments like at the end of regulation, the goalie didn’t even have his stick.

 

[LickTheEnvelope]

I can assure you the US and Sweden are still going to take Canada seriously. Really good way to lose to Canada if you don't. I mean Canada beat Sweden in pre tournament as well. It is obviously an awful lose but people are getting a little out of hand at the same time.

Results based industry. When you have the players available to field 3 or 4 national teams who can compete with the best and your chosen team loses to a 2nd tier team there is going to be questions, especially coming off of a 5th place finish the year before.

 

[Czechboy]

Not trying to be disrespectful to the kid who obviously had to battle all night and had a very high save total but were there really any highlight level saves? You expect a couple more or at least from pure volume but they (Cowan stood out especially) did a lot of dancing around and then ripping shots from distance. During the scramble moments like at the end of regulation, the goalie didn’t even have his stick.

I can't remember who it is.. but an elite Canadian has some fake missed shot move that always works. He stopped it easily.

 

[admiralcadillac]

Yeah, I know, so?



I am not equating them as if they are the same rivalry wise with us, or that they can produce the same talent. I am saying that at least back in the day we had some passion to beat the other countries. Now its all ho-hum, oh well, hey isn't that nice to see Latvia celebrate type of thing. It's weak. Wayne Gretzky in 2002 as you may remember said similar things I am saying in his rant. He said that we don't hate the other countries as much as they hate us. This is Gretzky saying this, and we can perhaps learn from his competitiveness, you know? Start having some resentment against these guys. They are playing YOUR game in YOUR barn and had their anthem play on YOUR ice after beating you. Show some national pride. That should anger all of the players on that team.

Dude stop writing essays with no substance.

We beat Latvia 10-0 a year ago. It’s hockey, sometimes you run up against a hot goalie.

This sky is falling nonsense is dumb

 

[JackSlater]

I can't remember who it is.. but an elite Canadian has some fake missed shot move that always works. He stopped it easily.

You mean Ritchie. The announcers said during the shootout he is something like 2/13 in his career in shootouts. It also looked like the Latvian goalie clearly knew what was coming. I do not remember any highlight reel saves from the game but allowing two goals on 55ish shots is more than impressive enough.

 

[NyQuil]

We do have the talent to win this thing every year if egos wouldn't be involved. 19 players picked in the 1st round in 2024. Russia is next with 4 and they aren't letting them play. USA follows with 3. Let's not pretend there isn't still an enormous pool of talent to pick from. This shouldn't be our best.

Gretzky won bronze at the Worlds. This is a team that is never Canada's best, nor is it ever intended to be Canada's best. The Soviets won that year in 1982. They did not lose a single game. Canada lost two games, to the Soviets and then to the Czechs. They then beat the Czechs in the medal round but lost again to the Soviets. The only games they lost to were to teams that finished gold and silver. They shockingly tied Italy in the round robin. However, they didn't lose to them. And as I said, this was not on Canadian soil with the best Canadian players. We've always had some gaffes against weak teams in the Worlds. We never send our best because they aren't available. It was still a pretty good team, and Gretzky led the tournament in scoring.

Maybe we should keep the CHL to just Canadian players and stop bringing the Europeans over here like Don Cherry said 30 years ago and was right then as well. We need Americans in there obviously because we go the U.S. College route sometimes. But why do we train other countries to beat us and not train our own?

But regardless, you can't lose to a team like this and say you are the best. There have been close calls and usually Canada pulls it off and dodges a bullet. Even last night a 3-2 win in regulation, or even overtime, and you'd be sweating a bit but you can learn from it. But at least your team has the character to eventually come around and win. This team didn't. Even in the shootout they didn't do it. Ample chances to end the game and they didn't. You can never accept this as a loss and just say "Oh well, it isn't the 1940s." Sure it isn't, but it is the 2020s and Latvia is still a lousy hockey team. You don't lose to this team. Ever. Period. Sweden fine. Finland fine. Czechs fine. Not to a relegated team do you ever do this.

I would have loved to see your reaction to tying Italy in the round robin with the world’s greatest player on the roster.

I guarantee you that the gulf between Canada and Italy at that tournament was far greater than that between Latvia and Canada at this one.

The only reason this game wasn’t a tie is because of the shootout.

You go on and on about Gretzky and his work ethic and this is a guy who tied Italy.

Maybe cut them a little slack.

 

[57special]

So, Latvia's reward is that they have to play USA today? What sadist made up their schedule?

 

[Czechboy]

So, Latvia's reward is that they have to play USA today? What sadist made up their schedule?

They have the toughest 24 hours I've ever seen. Canada and us with no rest.

 

[Nakawick]

Why are there Canadians happy for another country? Man, we are getting soft. At least back in the day Phil Esposito admits he could have killed one of the Soviets in 1972 just to win. No Canadian ought to be happy with what they saw. If anything I'd force them to watch the Latvians celebrate every day for the rest of the tournament to teach them a lesson. Not to be happy for them.

I have watched enough hockey to not be upset when a game like that happens. We probably win that game 9/10 times. Canada is by no means out of it.

 

[NyQuil]

They have the toughest 24 hours I've ever seen. Canada and us with no rest.

If they beat the US today, Disney is going to have to make a movie about them.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Gutsy win , love it

Why are there Canadians happy for another country?

I love watching underdogs win , plus organised hockey is inaccessible to like 75% of canadians. Doesn't hit the same when you can't relate to any of these kids lol. I love hockey so I'm happy to see other countries get gutsy wins , its good for the game

 

[TheBeastCoast]

So, Latvia's reward is that they have to play USA today? What sadist made up their schedule?

Typically I think these teams would rather it work out this way. Latvia's biggest game of the tournament is Germany. For how amazing Latvia's effort was last night...if they lose to Germany they end up in the relegation game lol

 

[Nogatco Rd]

So shootout goals are counted towards points totals? I see Mateiko is credited with 2 G's

 

[TheBeastCoast]

So shootout goals are counted towards points totals? I see Mateiko is credited with 2 G's

I believe just the shootout winner is. Could be wrong.

 

[NyQuil]

Yeah, I know, so?



I am not equating them as if they are the same rivalry wise with us, or that they can produce the same talent. I am saying that at least back in the day we had some passion to beat the other countries. Now it’s all ho-hum, oh well, hey isn't that nice to see Latvia celebrate type of thing. It's weak. Wayne Gretzky in 2002 as you may remember said similar things I am saying in his rant. He said that we don't hate the other countries as much as they hate us. This is Gretzky saying this, and we can perhaps learn from his competitiveness, you know? Start having some resentment against these guys. They are playing YOUR game in YOUR barn and had their anthem play on YOUR ice after beating you. Show some national pride. That should anger all of the players on that team.

I hope the players are angry but seeing as I’m not one of the players, I don’t see the need to be myself

On to the next game. Show us what you got boys!