Latvia’s Cinderella run in the 2025 World Junior Championship ended on Thursday. Sweden avoided a quarterfinals upset by outshooting the Latvians 50-13 and escaping Ottawa’s TD Place with a 3-2 victory.
Capitals prospect Eriks Mateiko was the star of the show for Latvia again, scoring both of their goals in the loss. Mateiko’s two tallies gave him five total in the tournament, shooting him to the top of the overall leaderboard as of the end of the game.
Mateiko’s first marker came with 9:47 left in the second period and Latvia down 3-0. After an offensive-zone faceoff win, the 19-year-old winger set up at the top of the left faceoff circle for a quick wrister with enough pace on it to jump over goaltender Melker Thelin’s pad.
The 2024 third-round draft selection struck again 8:37 later. After collecting a rebound in front, Mateiko slid the loose puck under Thelin to draw Latvia within one.
Mateiko’s five goals in five games are the second-most in one World Juniors ever by a Latvian player. Roberts Bukarts scored six goals in six games at the 2010 tournament.
Latvia’s number-one netminder, Linards Feldbergs, also had another tremendous outing. The 19-year-old backstop made 47 saves in the loss, amassing 210 total stops over five appearances.
Latvia’s three best players of the tournament awarded to:
– Eriks Mateiko (WSH)
– Linards Feldbergs
– Peteris Bulans— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) January 2, 2025
Latvia’s run ends after winning just their third and fourth-ever games at the tournament over Canada and Germany in the preliminary round.
