Michael Hage, Canada narrowly avoid repeating history in overtime win over Latvia

MINNEAPOLIS — A year ago to the day, Latvia shocked Canada’s world junior team 3-2 in an eight-round shootout in front of home fans in Ottawa.

As fate would have it, goaltender Jack Ivankovic was once again Canada’s starter on Saturday evening, this time, however, avenging that defeat with a 26-save effort as Michael Hage scored on an overtime power-play goal in a narrow 2-1 victory.

That came after Latvia had tied the game with just less than two minutes left in the third period.

Latvia’s Markuss Sieradzkis believed he earned the game’s first goal on a mad scramble around Ivankovic’s crease, but the officials waved it off due to the puck being kicked in.

Canada picked up the pace thereafter, outshooting Latvia 11-7 in the first period, but struggled to gain the middle of the ice against a rigid and structured defence.

In the second frame, Canada was gifted a five-minute power play after Martins Klaucens was called for a check to the head of Zayne Parekh. Cole Reschny immediately cashed in to take the game’s first lead, but the power play fizzled out the rest of the way.

The pendulum soon swung the other way, as defenceman Ben Danford was booked for a four-minute high-sticking penalty on Kristians Utnans. But the penalty-kill took care of business, and Canada carried a 25-18 shot advantage into the final period.

Canada won the territorial battle decisively in the final 20 minutes, but additional offence was in short supply.

That opened the door for Latvia’s Rudolfs Berzkalns to bury the dramatic tying goal in a net-front scramble with just 1:58 remaining in regulation.

Alarmingly quiet start

For the second straight game, Canada failed to put itself in the driver’s seat from the start.

Canada had just three shots through the first half of the opening frame, while Latvia successfully pressured their defenders into several high-risk turnovers. 

Harrison Brunicke in particular looked unsure throughout the game, with his clearing attempt up the middle of the ice leading to Latvia’s disallowed goal in the first period. 

On several occasions, Canada’s blueliners flipped pucks through the centre, only for them to be picked off and thrown toward Ivankovic.

While Canada’s forwards got on their horses in the final half of the opening frame, Latvia deployed an unflinching zone defence, largely limiting the Canadians to aimless passes through the slot.

While Canada made too many passes in search of shooting lanes, their shot attempts were also regularly thwarted by fearless and aggressive shot blocking. 

Almost everything that did reach the goal was calmly handled by Latvian netminder Nils Maurins, who stopped 37  shots.

Ivankovic’s net

A year ago to the day, goaltender Jack Ivankovic became the first 17-year-old Canadian goaltender to start a game at the world juniors since Jimmy Waite in 1987.

As fate would have it, Ivankovic was once again Canada’s starter on Saturday night against the Latvians.

He avenged last tournament’s shocking defeat with a 26-save win, helping to spare the Canadians from a similar upset in Minnesota.

Coach Dale Hunter declined to name his starting goalie ahead of the game, but following the goal-fest that was Canada’s Boxing Day matchup with Czechia, it made sense to give Carter George a day off.

Ivankovic, in his freshman season with the University of Michigan, rewarded that move with a steady game from start to finish.

“He’s been really good on Michigan,” Porter Martone said of Ivankovic, his former teammate with the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads, before the game. “I got to play against him a couple times, and he’s been really good in the net. We have a lot of faith in all of our goalies.”

The Nashville Predators prospect wasn’t challenged the same way George was against Czechia, but a shutout performance gives Canada all the reason to ride the hot hand.

All zone time, few chances

There was no question as to which team possessed the puck more. Canada often skated circles around the Latvia zone, but that was often where things stagnated.

Apart from the increasingly reliable line of Gavin McKenna, Hage, and Brady Martin, Canada struggled to create quality chances around Latvia’s net.

Canada’s horses were more than able to hang on to the puck around the perimeter, but clean passes into the slot were difficult to come by.

Canada now has a day off, with their next test coming on Monday against Denmark, who they defeated 13-2 in pre-tournament action.