12/27/25 06:40:00
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12/27 18:38 CST Hage drills game-winner in overtime to push Canada over Latvia
2-1 in World Junior Championship
Hage drills game-winner in overtime to push Canada over Latvia 2-1 in World
Junior Championship
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) --- Michael Hage scored the game-winning goal 44 seconds into
overtime as Canada pushed past Latvia 2-1 in a preliminary-round game at the
World Junior Championship on Saturday night.
Cole Reschny opened the scoring early in the second period, converting during a
five-minute major after Martins Klaucans was assessed a game misconduct for an
illegal check to the head. Gavin McKenna and Harrison Brunicke assisted on the
goal.
The Latvians answered late. With 1:58 remaining in regulation, Rudolfs
Berzkalns tied the game 1-1, finishing a play set up by Krisjanis Sarts and
Dmitrijs Dilevka after Latvia had been limited to few opportunities through
much of the third period.
A delay-of-game penalty to Roberts Naudins with 52 seconds left in regulation
carried into overtime and proved decisive. Hage ended it quickly, taking a pass
from McKenna and Zayne Parekh before drilling a slapshot into the net.
Jack Ivankovic stopped 26 shots for Canada. Maurins finished with 35 saves for
Latvia, which was outshot in every period but kept the game tight until the end.
Latvia nearly struck first in the opening period when Markuss Sieradzkis
appeared to score, but video review ruled the play a kick-in and the goal was
overturned.
Both teams will face Denmark in the next round of preliminary matchups, with
the Canadiens first on Monday, followed by Latvia on Tuesday.
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