‘Let’s not panic’: Canada picks up the pieces after shocking loss to Latvia at world juniors – National

Peter Anholt tried to maintain issues mild as he emerged from one of many elevators at Canada’s resort.

The temperature had been turned approach up on the veteran hockey government and the nation’s under-20 program after a shocking upset some 12 hours earlier.

“You solely wish to speak to me when issues are unhealthy, eh?” Anholt joked to reporters Saturday morning.

“Is that how this works?”

That’s certainly what occurs when a powerhouse with a document 20 gold medals anticipated to roll over an opponent suffers one in every of its worst all-time defeats at the tournament.

Canada was embarrassed on dwelling soil 3-2 by Latvia — a rustic it had thumped by a mixed 41-4 rating throughout 4 earlier conferences — in a stunning shootout Friday.

Coming off a disastrous fifth-place end final 12 months in Sweden and having talked loads about upping their compete stage and preparation, the Canadians regarded disjointed for lengthy stretches in opposition to the plucky, hard-working Latvians.

The ability play lastly clicked late within the third interval, however stands at 1-for-7 by way of two video games, whereas the highest line of Easton Cowan, Calum Ritchie and Bradly Nadeau has but to translate its pre-tournament chemistry into success within the highlight.

“We’re definitely making an attempt to downside remedy, however not throw the infant out with the bathtub water,” stated Anholt, who heads the world junior setup.

“We’ve acquired to be actually cautious.”

Canada, which picked up a stable 4-0 victory over Finland to open its event Thursday, had loads of offensive zone time and directed 57 photographs at Latvian goaltender Linards Feldbergs. Included in that complete, nonetheless, had been far too many one-and-done efforts from the perimeter with little site visitors in entrance.

There have been, after all, determined spurts — particularly late in regulation and in 3-on-3 extra time — however not practically sufficient for a roster peppered with first-round NHL draft picks and prime prospects.

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“We performed actually, actually onerous,” Anholt stated in defending his gamers. “We managed the puck tons. We created some probabilities.

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“Their goalie was actually good and so they defended actually good … 99 instances out of 100 we win that sport.”

Hoping for a giant response Sunday in opposition to Germany earlier than assembly the USA on New 12 months’s Eve to tie a bow on round-robin motion in Group A, Canada should push forward minus one in every of its greatest gamers.

Star defenceman Matthew Schaefer was injured Friday and is completed for the event after he slammed into Latvia’s internet and skated off favouring his left shoulder space.

“Robust blow for the child,” Anholt stated. “The best way he performs the sport, he performs it at such a excessive pace.”

Cowan, a Toronto Maple Leafs first-round choice, stated Canada stays assured regardless of Friday’s ugly outcome within the nation’s capital.

“We’re good,” stated the 19-year-old from Mount Brydges, Ont. “Everybody’s misplaced a hockey sport earlier than.”

However not like that — or to that opponent on that stage.

“Little bit of a (crappy) feeling,” stated Nadeau, a Carolina Hurricanes prospect from St-Francois-de-Madawaska, N.B. “Everyone knows what this group is able to. Dropping that sport will not be our normal.

“We’ll bounce again.”

Some corners of social media exploded following the Latvian debacle, with heavy criticism directed at head coach Dave Cameron and the workforce’s general roster building.

“We’re probably not fearful about it,” defenceman and Ottawa native Oliver Bonk, who like Cowan is again from final 12 months’s workforce, stated of the skin noise. “We all know we didn’t play nicely.”

Canada seems poised to combine issues up in opposition to the Germans. Vancouver Canucks prospect Sawyer Mynio of Kamloops, B.C., is about to attract in for Schaefer, whereas Anholt indicated there’s a great likelihood ahead Carson Rehkopf will get his first crack on the 2025 event as a returnee.

The 19-year-old Seattle Kraken second-round choose from Vaughan, Ont., has scored a mixed 78 targets over his final 97 regular-season and playoff video games within the Ontario Hockey League.

“Nice participant,” Cowan stated. “He finds methods.”

Anholt stated taking a big-picture method is vital in difficult moments.

“Let’s not panic,” he stated.

“The world hasn’t fallen in. It’s onerous, however we’ll be taught from it.”

It’s one thing Canada should do beneath intense scrutiny.

“Individuals are gonna love you and individuals are gonna hate you,” stated Cowan, who has a aim and an help by way of two video games. “Gotta hold doing you.”

Anholt, who was additionally on the helm 12 months in the past when Canada by no means acquired in gear, isn’t getting 2024 vibes from this 12 months’s group.

“Not even in any approach, form or type,” he stated. “We’ve simply acquired to deal with enterprise.”

They get a primary shot at redemption Sunday.

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