(Ottawa) Peter Anholt tried to lighten the atmosphere as he exited one of the elevators of the hotel where the members of Team Canada Junior are staying.
Posted at 7:01 p.m.
Joshua Clipperton
The Canadian Press
The temperature had risen a notch for the veteran hockey man and for the national under-20 program after a stunning defeat a dozen hours earlier.
“You only want to talk to me when things are bad, huh?” », Anholt told journalists, jokingly, on Saturday morning.
“Is this how it works?” “, asked Hockey Canada’s under-20 program director.
That’s indeed what happens when a powerhouse that has won a record 20 gold medals and is expected to crush an opponent suffers one of the worst defeats in its tournament history.
At home, Canada suffered an embarrassing 3-2 loss to Latvia – a country it had dominated by a cumulative score of 41-4 in four previous meetings – in a matchup that ended in an unimaginable shootout session on Friday.
After a disastrous fifth place finish last year in Sweden and after talking on several occasions about raising their level of competitiveness and preparation, the Canadians seemed disorganized for long periods against the lively and hard-working Latvians. .
The five-man attack finally produced late in the third period, but was held to one goal on seven attempts after two games. Furthermore, the number one trio of Easton Cowan, Calum Ritchie and Bradly Nadeau have yet to translate their pre-tournament chemistry into success in the spotlight.
“We’re certainly trying to resolve the issues, but without throwing the baby out with the bathwater,” Anholt said. “We have to be really careful. »
Canada, which scored a solid 4-0 victory over Finland to open its tournament on Thursday, spent ample time in the offensive zone and directed 57 pucks at Latvian goaltender Linards Feldbergs.
Of that number, however, there were far too many attempts from outside the perimeter, with little traffic in front of the net, and which led to few second chances.
There were, of course, some desperate surges – notably late in the third period and in a three-on-three overtime – but not enough for a team stacked with first-round NHL draft picks and high-profile prospects.
“We really, really played with a lot of vigor,” analyzed Anholt, defending his players.
We controlled the puck a lot. We created opportunities. Their goalkeeper was really good and they defended really well. […] We win this match 99 times out of 100.
Peter Anholt
Looking for a major fightback Sunday against Germany before facing the United States on Dec. 31 to conclude the group stage, Canada will have to move forward without one of its best players.
Star defenseman Matthew Schaefer was injured Friday and will not return for the tournament after scoring against the Latvia net. As he left the ice, he attempted to protect the area near his left shoulder.
“A tough blow for the kid,” Anholt said. “The way he plays hockey, it’s such a high speed. »
Cowan, a first-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs, said Canada remains confident despite the ugly result in the country’s capital.
“We are correct,” said the 19-year-old hockey player. “Everyone has lost a hockey game before. »
But not like this – or against this rival on this stage.
Nadeau, a Carolina Hurricanes prospect who is originally from Saint-François de-Madawaska, New Brunswick, admitted that the feeling was not very pleasant.
“We all know what this group is capable of. Losing this match is not our norm. We will bounce back. »
