The 2025 World Junior Championship kicked off its second day with shocking developments, particularly the stunning upset of Team Canada by Latvia, which has been labeled the biggest upset in tournament history. Canada lost 3-2 after going to shootouts, sending shockwaves through the hockey community as expectations for the host nation were sky-high following their disappointing previous year.
On December 28, 2024, Canada faced Latvia, who they had historically dominated, entering the game with a staggering combined score of 41-4 over their past matches. This year, though, Latvia managed to flip the script with only two drafted prospects. Undoubtedly, the hearts of Canadian fans sank as their team went 0-for-8 on shootouts, underscoring their inability to capitalize on numerous chances.
Scott Wheeler of The Athletic pointed out, "Canada couldn’t put Latvia away. They never really even came close," highlighting the enormous gap between expectations and reality. Even with 56 shots on goal documented, very few posed genuine threats to the Latvian defense and goalie Eriks Mateiko, who emerged as one of the stars of the game.
Meanwhile, the day's other matches were not short on excitement. Slovakia defeated Switzerland 2-1, with Jan Chovan netting the game-winner late after forcing a turnover from Capitals prospect Leon Muggli. Finland narrowly edged Germany 3-1, with Tuomas Uronen being recognized as their player of the game.
Sweden dominated Kazakhstan 8-1, with Anton Wahlberg showcasing his scoring prowess by netting two goals. Top prospect Victor Eklund also contributed significantly with one goal and two assists, earning him accolades as Sweden's player of the game.
Canada's lack of offensive cohesion, especially seen on their power plays where they went 1-for-7, raised concerns. Team Canada's head coach Dave Cameron said before the tournament, “I really know this player,” referring to their readiness compared to their last outing, yet this was clearly absent as players appeared disjointed and inconsistent on the ice.
Critics noted specific player placements and decisions, questioning the match tactics against Latvia. For example, Tanner Howe seemed out of place at the net-front, and Sam Dickinson was missing from the power-play rotation entirely. The selections raised eyebrows and brought forth conversations about what went wrong within the game strategizing.
A shining light for the team’s future, Matthew Schaefer, regarded by many as the likely No. 1 pick for the 2025 NHL Draft, suffered a left shoulder injury early during the game. Schaefer collided horrendously with the goal post and was ruled out for the remainder of the match shortly afterward. Though there has been no update following the game, the prospect of his return looms over the rest of the Canadian campaign.
After the game, it was evident the stakes had been raised for Team Canada as they face the pressure to reevaluate their approach moving forward. Following last year's early exit, expectations were high for improvements but now, after this monumental upset, the heat is undeniably on as management and coaching staff must regroup.
Looking onward, Canadian fans and analysts alike are left questioning if this talented roster can regain form and embody the essence of what Canadian hockey is known for. It will certainly be intriguing to follow their next matches and see how they respond to this jolt. Fans everywhere are hoping the lessons learned against Latvia will chart the course for the remainder of the tournament.
