In a spirited Group A matchup at the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship, Canada entered Sunday’s tilt against Latvia with momentum—and a target on their back. Backstopped by veteran goaltender Marc-André Fleury, Canada brought a blend of Stanley Cup-winning experience and rising talent to the ice. Latvia, led by goaltender Gustavs Grigals, countered with physical play and opportunistic scoring, looking to stifle the Canadians with disciplined structure and timely pushes.
Canada featured a star-studded lineup headlined by Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Bo Horvat, while Kent Johnson and Travis Konecny added speed and finishing touch. Latvia leaned on international veterans like Rudolfs Balcers and Kaspars Daugaviņš, with scoring support from Eduards Tralmaks and Dans Locmelis.
First Period
Latvia opened the scoring early at 7:05, when Eduards Tralmaks buried a feed from Dans Locmelis to make it 1–0 and ignite the Latvian bench.
GOAL (7:05): Eduards Tralmaks (LAT) – Even Strength | Assisted by Dans Locmelis
Canada responded with two quick goals. At 9:30, Travis Konecny evened the score after a setup from Travis Sanheim and Sidney Crosby. Just over a minute later, Nathan MacKinnon gave Canada the lead at 10:31, finishing a feed from Bo Horvat in tight.
GOAL (9:30): Travis Konecny (CAN) – Even Strength | Assisted by Travis Sanheim, Sidney Crosby
GOAL (10:31): Nathan MacKinnon (CAN) – Even Strength | Assisted by Bo Horvat
Tensions rose midway through the period. At 10:47, Crosby and Martins Dzierkals received roughing minors after an exchange near the benches. Horvat was sent off for slashing at 11:25, but Canada killed the penalty without issue.
First Period Stats
- Shots on Goal: Latvia 4 | Canada 11
- Saves: Latvia 9 | Canada 3
- Penalty Minutes (PIM): Latvia 2 | Canada 4
Second Period
Canada broke the game open in the second frame, led by Kent Johnson, who scored twice to extend the lead. At 24:36, a scrum resulted in a flurry of penalties: Travis Konecny received minors for boarding and roughing (served by Johnson), while Roberts Mamčics was penalized for roughing on the Latvian side. Canada’s third goal came at 27:11, when Johnson converted a crisp setup from Brandon Montour and Sidney Crosby.
GOAL (27:11): Kent Johnson (CAN) – Even Strength | Assisted by Brandon Montour, Sidney Crosby
Just four minutes later, Johnson struck again—this time unassisted—as he wired a shot past Grigals at 31:10 to make it 4–1.
GOAL (31:10): Kent Johnson (CAN) – Even Strength | Unassisted
Latvia’s Oskars Cibuļskis was called for hooking at 33:43, but Canada didn’t convert on the ensuing power play. However, they did capitalize while shorthanded later in the period. At 39:36, Travis Konecny broke away and scored unassisted to make it 5–1—his second goal of the game.
GOAL (39:36): Travis Konecny (CAN) – Shorthanded | Unassisted
Despite Latvia’s efforts to regain momentum, Canada maintained control with disciplined defensive play and timely scoring. Travis Konecny’s late shorthanded marker punctuated a dominant middle frame, as Canada outpaced, outshot, and outclassed their opponents en route to a commanding 5–1 lead heading into the final 20 minutes.
Second Period Stats
- Shots on Goal: Latvia 7 | Canada 10
- Saves: Latvia 7 | Canada 7
- Penalty Minutes (PIM): Latvia 4 | Canada 6
Third Period
Canada continued to control the pace early in the third. At 45:09, Macklin Celebrini recorded his first goal of the tournament, finishing off a smooth passing play from Travis Konecny and Sidney Crosby to extend the lead to 6–1.
GOAL (45:09): Macklin Celebrini (CAN) – Even Strength | Assisted by Travis Konecny, Sidney Crosby
Latvia struggled to stay out of the penalty box. Kaspars Daugaviņš was assessed a high-sticking minor at 40:45, followed by a hooking call to Toms Andersons at 52:04, keeping the Canadian power play active throughout the frame.
At 55:18, Barrett Hayton added Canada’s seventh goal of the game with a sharp-angle shot that initially rang off the post. The play went to video review, but the puck was confirmed to have crossed the line. Phillip Danault picked up the lone assist on the play.
GOAL (55:18): Barrett Hayton (CAN) – Even Strength | Assisted by Phillip Danault (confirmed after video review)
Canada’s combination of depth scoring, defensive structure, and relentless pressure continued to overwhelm Latvia as the game wound down. Just moments later, Daugaviņš returned to the box at 56:27 for hooking—his second penalty of the period. Then at 57:56, Sidney Crosby was called for slashing, resulting in a 4-on-4.
On the 4-on-4, neither team could convert, and Latvia was awarded a brief power play opportunity following the expiration of Daugaviņš’s penalty. Despite a few looks, they were unable to cut into the Canadian lead.
Mike Matheson appeared to score Canada’s eighth goal after firing a puck past Gustavs Grigals, with Ryan O’Reilly credited with the assist. However, the play went under review, and the goal was overturned due to goaltender interference. The score remained 7–1.
NO GOAL: Mike Matheson (CAN) – Waved off after video review for goaltender interference
Canada continued to push through the final frame with crisp passing, confident puck control, and balanced contributions from all four lines. Goals from Macklin Celebrini and Barrett Hayton added to an already commanding lead, while a potential eighth tally by Mike Matheson was waved off after review for goaltender interference. Latvia showed flashes of fight but couldn’t generate sustained pressure. With a complete team performance, Canada closed out a dominant 7–1 win to remain unbeaten in Group A play.
Game Summary
Final Score:
Canada 7, Latvia 1
Momentum Shifts & Game Flow
Canada surrendered the first goal but responded with seven unanswered, showing composure and offensive depth. After Latvia’s early 1–0 lead at 7:05, Canada responded with two goals in 2.5 minutes, turning the tide quickly. The game’s turning point arguably came from Crosby’s cross-ice saucer pass that set up the equalizer and ignited Canada’s surge.
Playmaking Highlights
Sidney Crosby was instrumental in creating offense, including a highlight-reel backhand saucer pass to Travis Sanheim that led to the Konecny goal. Nathan MacKinnon’s goal flipped the script from the previous game, this time finishing a pass from Bo Horvat after assisting him the day before. Brandon Montour’s slap-pass to Kent Johnson echoed Sanheim’s earlier setup—showing Canada’s deliberate, high-skill passing strategy.
Goaltender Summary
Latvia: Gustavs Grigals – 30 saves on 37 shots
Canada: Marc-André Fleury – 16 saves on 17 shots
Marc-André Fleury’s saves on Rudolfs Balcers and Dans Locmelis preserved momentum after a risky giveaway, anchoring Canada in a key second-period stretch. Despite the lopsided score, Gustavs Grigals stood tall for Latvia, especially in the first period when he made multiple key stops to keep it close.
Goal Scorers & Game Notes
- Eduards Tralmaks opened the scoring for Latvia on a clean shot under Fleury’s glove after a pass from Dans Locmelis.
- Travis Konecny and Kent Johnson each scored twice, showcasing Canada’s ability to finish in transition and off turnovers.
- Macklin Celebrini’s first goal of the tournament came in the third, a low wrist shot that beat Grigals short-side.
- Barrett Hayton’s goal was confirmed after video review—it went in and out so quickly the penalty timekeepers had to notify the officials.
Final Game Stats – Latvia vs. Canada
- Shots on Goal: Latvia 17 | Canada 37
- Saves: Latvia 30 | Canada 16
- Penalty Minutes (PIM): Latvia 12 | Canada 12
Players of the Game
Latvia – Eduards Tralmaks (#34): Scored Latvia’s lone goal of the game.
Canada – Marc-André Fleury (#29): Provided stability in net, allowing just one goal on 17 shots and backstopping Canada to a decisive victory.
Photo Gallery: Latvia vs Canada – 2025 IIHF WM
What’s Next?
Both teams will now enjoy a rest day before returning to action on Tuesday. Canada will look to build on its strong start when it takes on France, while Latvia will aim to rebound as it faces Slovenia in what could be a pivotal matchup for Group A positioning.
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