OTTAWA – There are these scenarios that can only be seen in films.
Latvia achieved the improbable at the World Junior Championship on Friday, winning 3-2 in a shootout against Canada in the federal capital, thanks to a goal from Eriks Mateiko in the eighth round of a session under high voltage.
“My coach just told me to shoot, so I shot,” said the hero of the evening who was then on his second attempt against Jack Ivankovic – the first having failed.
“I don’t even remember when the puck went into the net,” he continued. It’s like I’ve lost my memory. It took me 10 minutes to remember where I had thrown. »
The Saint-Jean Sea Dogs forward also hit the target earlier in the game to tie the game 1-1 on the power play in the third period. Peteris Bulans, of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, imitated him with 2:29 remaining on the clock to force overtime.
“It’s incredible, the emotions are unreal,” commented Bulans, the captain of this team. All the fans watched this at 5 a.m. at home. […] It was crazy. I was on the bench and enjoying the moment. I have no words to describe this. Someone must be pinching me because it looks like a dream. »
A dream, perhaps. But the word miracle seems more appropriate.
In four clashes between the two countries at the World Juniors before Friday, Canada had dominated the small hockey nation 41-4 in terms of goals, obviously signing four victories. The logical result of the margin of talent between the two nations.
On the ice at the Canadian Tire Centre, goaltender Linards Felbergs – from the Sherbrooke Phoenix – decided that enough of this domination was enough. He stopped 55 shots and frustrated all eight shooters facing him in the shootout, setting the stage for emotional celebrations during the national anthem.
“It’s crazy,” said the doorman. I don’t yet realize what we have accomplished. I’m still in shock. I looked out at the crowd and the fans were all speechless. We were jumping everywhere. »
On the other side of the rink, no one was jumping. Dave Cameron’s flock simply couldn’t wait to see the post-game ceremonies end so they could leave the ice after this embarrassing defeat. They came out flat, as if waiting for victory to fall from the sky.
Completely disorganized, undisciplined and disinterested, at times they got what they deserved.
“We have to take our hats off to them,” Cameron simply summed up. We shot 57 times. They blocked shots, their goalie blocked the rest. We spent the majority of the match in their zone, but we didn’t generate enough chances. If we play this match ten times, we probably win nine times. »
The return of lace
The problem is that the Canadiens only had one chance to play this game. And, let’s be honest, they should have made short work of the Latvians – despite their dedication and Felbergs’ brilliance.
Beyond the highly disappointing performance, we will especially remember the lack of execution and commitment of the Canadians. Add to that the seven numerical advantages they offered the Latvians, which ultimately cost them two goals, as well as the victory.
“I think we had a ton of good chances,” said captain Brayden Yager. If they hadn’t blocked so many shots we might have had 90. They did a good job getting in the lines and their goalie did well. You have to give them credit. »
The truth is that many of these shots came from the outskirts. The Canadians decided to take out the needles to knit and make lace instead of playing, as they had promised, the “Canadian way”. Everything that had been done successfully in the victory against Finland was forgotten.
Jett Luchanko, shorthanded, and Calum Ritchie, on the power play, were the only two scorers. Jack Ivankovic, the third 17-year-old goalie to start a match in front of the Canadian cage and the first since Jimmy Waite in 1987, gave up twice on 26 shots, and against Mateiko in a shootout.
“It’s obviously not the best feeling, but I know we’ll bounce back,” Ritchie pleaded. It’s a short tournament. We start again every day. We have to regain our minds and prepare for the match against Germany. »
What happens next without Schaefer?
The worst part of all this is that Canada risks having to remedy this poor performance without the help of Matthew Schaefer – one of the best prospects for the next draft, and one of the essential elements of the Canadian brigade.
The fullback appeared to injure his left shoulder at the very start of the game following a crazy climb. He collided with the post and immediately retreated to the locker room. Hockey Canada indicated it would not return to the game, without saying further.
However, we noticed that the players did not speak in the conditional when asked about his potential absence.
“It sucks,” Ivankovic reacted. He is my best friend. I didn’t like seeing him fall in battle like that. He had a good start to the tournament. It sucks and we will definitely miss him. »
