World Juniors Today: Latvia’s epic upset over Canada, visiting fans enjoy Ottawa

Welcome to Day 3 of the 2025 World Juniors in Ottawa.

But first, what happened last night?

The story of Day 2 was undoubtedly Latvia’s 3-2 shootout win over a lacklustre Canadian team. The Athletic’s Corey Pronman has you covered on Canada’s causes for concern regarding the biggest upset in tournament history.

Latvia shootout winner Eriks Mateiko was at a loss for words but told TSN “he still couldn’t believe it happened.” Goaltender Linards Feldbergs needed an hour to process the win after a 53-save performance. Latvia coach Artis Abols told Mark Masters “In one hockey game, anything can happen,” pointing to good goaltending, a good penalty kill, a successful power play and good compete.

The United States versus Latvia game on Saturday afternoon at the Canadian Tire Centre should be mighty interesting.

“Each year this tournament seems to have a Cinderella team,” Canada coach Dave Cameron told TSN’s Kenzie Lalonde after the game, giving credit to Latvia’s team-first game and big saves from Feldbergs.

“We win that game nine out of 10 times,” Cameron said. “We’re wounded but we’re not dead.”

Here’s hoping for good news regarding 2025 NHL Draft potential No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer, who left early in the first period and didn’t return.

In the other games, things were relatively normal until they weren’t. Slovakia edged Switzerland 2-1. Finland defeated Germany 3-1. Sweden routed Kazakhstan 8-1.

Today’s schedule

• Kazakhstan vs. Czechia, 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT
• Latvia vs. United States, 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT

Nikitin’s pokecheck save

In the final moments of Sweden’s decisive win over Kazakhstan, goaltender Vladimir Nikitin decided he wasn’t going down without a fight. A pokecheck save on a breakaway was the flashiest of his 44-save performance, albeit in defeat.

a better look at Nikitin’s poke check in non potato qualitypic.twitter.com/49IOEHb1LR

— Sens Prospects (@SensProspects) December 28, 2024

Nikitin said he attempted the move “a couple times” during practices. So, when the opportunity came for him to stymy Sweden’s Isac Hedqvist, the goaltender felt he had nothing to lose.

“I (didn’t) care about the score or anything,” Nikitin said. “Just do.”

Nikitin is the only NHL prospect representing Kazakhstan at the tournament, selected by the Ottawa Senators in the seventh round of the 2023 NHL Draft.

Fans make themselves known

The Swedes were well-represented in the stands at TD Place, including by a collection of the players’ families. Forward Dennis Altorn’s parents were among them.

“It’s so big,” said Altorn’s mom, Malin Lilia. “We are so happy to be here in Canada.

“It’s a life dream to be here and watch our son, and it’s so fun.”

Felix Unger Sörum’s grandparents, Ruth and Jan-Ove Fix, are also among the crowd. It’s their first time in Canada.

“It’s been wonderful. We’re having a great time,” Ruth said.

But between the Swedish cheers, “Let’s go Kazakhstan” chants rang loudly throughout TD Place — from Canadian fans pulling for the underdogs, player families and billet families and the Kazakhstan faithful.

Russ is from Kazakstan but lives in Ottawa. (Sarah Jean Maher / The Athletic)

Logan (middle) is from Kazakhstan and plays goalie for Oro Thunder just outside of Barrie, Ont. (Sarah Jean Maher / The Athletic)

Alain Bilodeau (left) and Dave McNamee are local fans who came to cheer on Kazakhstan goaltender and Ottawa Senators prospect Vladimir Nikitin. (Sarah Jean Maher / The Athletic)

Holinka’s big debut

While Kazakhstan will be looking for a win today, Czechia will be looking to keep the momentum from a 5-1 win over Switzerland.

Some of that momentum comes from Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Miroslav Holinka, who opened the scoring for Czechia in his World Juniors debut on Thursday.

The forward, who plays with the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings, said scoring his first goal in his first game was an “amazing feeling” and “super nice.”

“It was (my) dream to play the juniors and just like represent our country,” he said in Czech through an interpreter.

And while playing in the nation’s capital means he’s technically playing in enemy territory, he says he’s already met a couple of Maple Leafs fans.

Required reading

• Team Canada upset by Latvia in shambolic performance and more from Day 2 at 2025 World Juniors
• How Finnish defenseman Emil Pieniniemi has become a top Penguins prospect

(Photo of Peteris Bulans and Davids Livsics: Sean Kilpatrick / The Canadian Press via AP)