Peter Anholt attempted to stay issues gentle as he emerged from probably the most elevators at Canada’s lodge.
The temperature have been grew to become manner up at the veteran hockey govt and the rustic’s under-20 program after a surprising disenchanted some 12 hours previous.
“You most effective wish to communicate to me when issues are dangerous, eh?” Anholt joked to journalists Saturday morning.
“Is that how this works?”
This is certainly what occurs when a powerhouse with a document 20 gold medals anticipated to roll over an opponent suffers certainly one of its worst all-time defeats at the event.
Canada used to be embarrassed on house soil 3-2 by means of Latvia — a rustic it had thumped by means of a mixed 41-4 ranking throughout 4 earlier conferences — in a stunning shootout Friday.
Latvia’s Eriks Mateiko (left) celebrates his game-winning shootout function in opposition to Canada with Toms Mots (12) and Davids Livsics (7) in IIHF International Junior Hockey Championship initial around motion in Ottawa on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Coming off a disastrous fifth-place end ultimate yr in Sweden and having talked so much about upping their compete degree and preparation, the Canadians regarded disjointed for lengthy stretches in opposition to the plucky, hard-working Latvians.
The facility play in the end clicked past due within the 3rd duration, however stands at 1-for-7 via two video games, whilst the highest line of Easton Cowan, Calum Ritchie and Bradly Nadeau has but to translate its pre-tournament chemistry into luck within the highlight.
“We’re no doubt seeking to downside remedy, however now not throw the newborn out with the bathtub water,” mentioned Anholt, who heads the arena junior setup.
“We’ve were given to be truly cautious.”
Canada, which picked up a cast 4-0 victory over Finland to open its event Thursday, had various offensive zone time and directed 57 pictures at Latvian goaltender Linards Feldbergs. Integrated in that overall, then again, have been some distance too many one-and-done efforts from the fringe with little site visitors in entrance.
There have been, in fact, determined spurts — particularly past due in law and in 3-on-3 additional time — however now not just about sufficient for a roster peppered with first-round NHL draft choices and best potentialities.
“We performed truly, truly difficult,” Anholt mentioned in protecting his avid gamers. “We managed the puck quite a bit. We created some probabilities.
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“Their goalie used to be truly just right and so they defended truly just right … 99 instances out of 100 we win that sport.”
Hoping for a giant reaction Sunday in opposition to Germany prior to assembly the USA on New 12 months’s Eve to tie a bow on round-robin motion in Team A, Canada should push forward minus certainly one of its absolute best avid gamers.
Famous person defenceman Matthew Schaefer used to be injured Friday and is completed for the event after he slammed into Latvia’s web and skated off favouring his left shoulder space.
“Tricky blow for the child,” Anholt mentioned. “The way in which he performs the sport, he performs it at any such prime velocity.”
Canada’s Matthew Schaefer (25) leaves the ice after colliding with the online right through first duration IIHF International Junior Hockey Championship initial around motion in opposition to Latvia in Ottawa on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Cowan, a Toronto Maple Leafs first-round variety, mentioned Canada stays assured regardless of Friday’s unpleasant end result within the country’s capital.
“We’re just right,” mentioned the 19-year-old from Mount Brydges, Ont. “Everybody’s misplaced a hockey sport prior to.”
However now not like that — or to that opponent on that degree.
“Little bit of a (crappy) feeling,” mentioned Nadeau, a Carolina Hurricanes prospect from St-Francois-de-Madawaska, N.B. “Everyone knows what this team is able to. Dropping that sport isn’t our same old.
“We’ll jump again.”
Some corners of social media exploded following the Latvian debacle, with heavy complaint directed at head trainer Dave Cameron and the workforce’s total roster development.
“We’re now not truly anxious about it,” defenceman and Ottawa local Oliver Bonk, who like Cowan is again from ultimate yr’s workforce, mentioned of the outdoor noise. “We all know we didn’t play neatly.”
Canada seems poised to combine issues up in opposition to the Germans. Vancouver Canucks prospect Sawyer Mynio of Kamloops, B.C., is ready to attract in for Schaefer, whilst Anholt indicated there’s a superb opportunity ahead Carson Rehkopf gets his first crack on the 2025 event as a returnee.
The nineteen-year-old Seattle Kraken second-round choose from Vaughan, Ont., has scored a mixed 78 targets over his ultimate 97 regular-season and playoff video games within the Ontario Hockey League.
“Nice participant,” Cowan mentioned. “He reveals tactics.”
Anholt mentioned taking a big-picture manner is vital in difficult moments.
“Let’s now not panic,” he mentioned.
“The sector hasn’t fallen in. It’s difficult, however we’ll be informed from it.”
It’s one thing Canada should do below intense scrutiny.
“Individuals are gonna love you and individuals are gonna hate you,” mentioned Cowan, who has a function and an help via two video games. “Gotta stay doing you.”
Anholt, who used to be additionally on the helm twelve months in the past when Canada by no means were given in equipment, isn’t getting 2024 vibes from this yr’s team.
“No longer even whatsoever, form or shape,” he mentioned. “We’ve simply were given to handle trade.”
They get a primary shot at redemption Sunday.
&replica 2024 The Canadian Press
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