Peter Anholt tried to keep things light as he emerged from one of the elevators at CanadaB次元官网网址檚 hotel.
The temperature had been turned way up on the veteran hockey executive and the countryB次元官网网址檚 under-20 program after a stunning upset some 12 hours earlier.
B次元官网网址淵ou only want to talk to me when things are bad, eh?B次元官网网址� Anholt joked to reporters Saturday morning.
B次元官网网址淚s that how this works?B次元官网网址�
That is indeed what happens when a powerhouse with a record 20 gold medals expected to roll over an opponent suffers one of its worst all-time defeats at the tournament.
Canada was embarrassed on home soil 3-2 by Latvia B次元官网网址� a country it had thumped by a combined 41-4 score across four previous meetings B次元官网网址� in a shocking shootout Friday.
Coming off a disastrous fifth-place finish last year in Sweden and having talked a lot about upping their compete level and preparation, the Canadians looked disjointed for long stretches against the plucky, hard-working Latvians.
The power play finally clicked late in the third period, but stands at 1-for-7 through two games, while the top line of Easton Cowan, Calum Ritchie and Bradly Nadeau has yet to translate its pre-tournament chemistry into success in the spotlight.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e certainly trying to problem solve, but not throw the baby out with the bath water,B次元官网网址� said Anholt, who heads the world junior setup. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e got to be really careful.B次元官网网址�
Canada, which picked up a solid 4-0 victory over Finland to open its tournament Thursday, had plenty of offensive zone time and directed 57 shots at Latvian goaltender Linards Feldbergs. Included in that total, however, were far too many one-and-done efforts from the perimeter with little traffic in front.
There were, of course, desperate spurts B次元官网网址� especially late in regulation and in 3-on-3 overtime B次元官网网址� but not nearly enough for a roster peppered with first-round NHL draft picks and top prospects.
B次元官网网址淲e played really, really hard,B次元官网网址� Anholt said in defending his players. B次元官网网址淲e controlled the puck lots. We created some chances. Their goalie was really good and they defended really good B次元官网网址� 99 times out of 100 we win that game.B次元官网网址�
Hoping for a big response Sunday against Germany before meeting the United States on New YearB次元官网网址檚 Eve to tie a bow on round-robin action in Group A, Canada will have to push ahead minus one of its best players.
Star defenceman Matthew Schaefer was injured Friday and is done for the tournament after he slammed into LatviaB次元官网网址檚 net and skated off favouring his left shoulder area.
B次元官网网址淭ough blow for the kid,B次元官网网址� Anholt said. B次元官网网址淭he way he plays the game, he plays it at such a high speed.B次元官网网址�
Cowan, a Toronto Maple Leafs first-round selection, said Canada remains confident despite FridayB次元官网网址檚 ugly result in the nationB次元官网网址檚 capital.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e good,B次元官网网址� said the 19-year-old from Mount Brydges, Ont. B次元官网网址淓veryoneB次元官网网址檚 lost a hockey game before.B次元官网网址�
But not like that B次元官网网址� or to that opponent on that stage.
B次元官网网址淏it of a (crappy) feeling,B次元官网网址� said Nadeau, a Carolina Hurricanes prospect from St-Francois-de-Madawaska, N.B. B次元官网网址淲e all know what this group is capable of. Losing that game is not our standard.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l bounce back.B次元官网网址�
Some corners of social media exploded following the Latvian debacle, with heavy criticism directed at head coach Dave Cameron and the teamB次元官网网址檚 overall roster construction.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not really worried about it,B次元官网网址� defenceman and Ottawa native Oliver Book, who like Cowan is back from last yearB次元官网网址檚 team, said of the outside noise. B次元官网网址淲e know we didnB次元官网网址檛 play well.B次元官网网址�
Canada appears poised to mix things up against the Germans. Vancouver Canucks prospect Sawyer Mynio of Kamloops, B.C., is set draw in for Schaefer, while Anholt indicated thereB次元官网网址檚 a good chance forward Carson Rehkopf will get his first crack at the 2025 tournament as a returnee.
The 19-year-old Seattle Kraken second-round pick from Vaughan, Ont., has scored a combined 78 goals over his last 97 regular-season and playoff games in the Ontario Hockey League.
B次元官网网址淕reat player,B次元官网网址� Cowan said. B次元官网网址淗e finds ways.B次元官网网址�
Anholt said taking a big-picture approach is key in challenging moments.
B次元官网网址淟etB次元官网网址檚 not panic,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he world hasnB次元官网网址檛 fallen in. ItB次元官网网址檚 hard, but weB次元官网网址檒l learn from it.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 something Canada will have to do under intense scrutiny.
B次元官网网址淧eople are gonna love you and people are gonna hate you,B次元官网网址� said Cowan, who has a goal an assist through two games. B次元官网网址淕otta keep doing you.B次元官网网址�
Anholt, who was also at the helm 12 months ago when Canada never got in gear, isnB次元官网网址檛 getting 2024 vibes from this yearB次元官网网址檚 group.
B次元官网网址淣ot even in any way, shape or form,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e just got to take care of business.B次元官网网址�
They get a first shot at redemption Sunday.
