Canada vs. Latvia: Live score, highlights, updates from 2022 World Juniors hockey tournament

The first game for Team Canada is here, as the host country plays its first 2022 World Juniors game Wednesday night against Latvia. 

Canada, who enters the tournament as the favorite to win gold, is without the likes of Shane Wright, Owen Power, Jake Neighbours and others, who either elected not to play or are dealing with injuries. However, there is still plenty of star power on the Canada club.

Leading the way for the team will be Ducks prospect Mason McTavish, Blue Jackets draft pick Kent Johnson and the top prospect for the 2023 draft, Connor Bedard. McTavish comes back and replaces Kaiden Guhle as the captain for the squad, joined by Johnson and Donovan Sebrango as the assistants. 

Latvia already has one game underneath its belt. The country, who replaced Russia at the top tournament following Russia’s ban from the IIHF, lost 6-1 on Tuesday to Finland to begin their World Juniors journey. 

MORE: Watch the 2022 World Juniors live with fuboTV (free trial, U.S. only)

The Sporting News will provide updates and highlights on the Canada-Latvia matchup at the 2022 World Juniors. 

Canada vs. Latvia score

Connor Bedard tracker

Each game, we will highlight one player on Team Canada to follow along with during the matchup. 

Up first is Connor Bedard, the 2023 draft sensation that plays in the WHL for the Regina Pats. He’s regarded as the top pick for the upcoming NHL draft that has been taking the world by storm in recent years. He had 100 points with the Pats this season, had a four-goal performance at the canceled World Juniors in December and added six goals in four games at the U18 Worlds. 

Bedard is extremely skilled and a prolific scorer, considered to be a generational talent. At 17 years old, he’s one of the youngest players at the tournament.

1st period

Bedard already is as advertised. The top line with Bedard, Mason McTavish and Joshua Roy have been the best line for Canada and Bedard already has found the twine. It’s his pull, drag and shoot that is so dangerous and what beat Latvia’s goalie Patriks Berzins. 

Connor Bedard scores goals. 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/O8rQ3oK3Ke

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) August 10, 2022

He’s been Canada’s most dangerous player so far and it’s been exactly what to expect from him. He’s dangerous with the puck on his stick from anywhere on the ice. 

2nd period

The best chances for Bedard have come on the power play. It’s that drag and release that he has that makes him so dangerous and he has more space on the power play. He had a couple shots that whistled wide of the night. I would like to see him try and find Kent Johnson across the slot as Latvia is catering to Bedard, but can’t complain about getting the puck on net, especially on the power play. 

Canada vs. Latvia live updates, highlights from 2022 World Juniors

2nd period

7:18 p.m. — GOAL! With five seconds left on the power play, Lukas Cormier finds the back of the night for Canada. His shot from the top of the circle beats Berzins on the short side to give Canada the lead. Tyson Foerster provided a nice screen in front. 

7:15 p.m. — The same top unit is out there for Canada and Olen Zellweger’s shot gets tipped by McTavish, goes off the crossbar and out. Still a tie game. 

7:14 p.m. — After a disappointing first power play, Canada gets their second chance of the night right as the first penalty expires. Dans Locmelis whistled for roughing. 

7:12 p.m. — The best chance of the power play goes to Latvia, as Raimonds Vitolins finds himself in all alone on Cossa. He tries to tuck it around Cossa’s right pad, but the big Canada goalie makes the save. 

7:09 p.m. — Canada heads to its first power play of the night as Ralfs Berganis is called for holding. 

7:08 p.m. — It’s all Canada here to start the 2nd, but not a lot of shots on goal. Lukas Cormier had a great look using his speed to come in wide untouched, but his shot missed wide. 

End 1st period: Canada 1. Latvia 1

6:42 p.m. — After 20 minutes it’s tied 1-1. Not at all what Canada expected the outcome fo the first period to be, but the result nonetheless. Canada dominated play and had multiple chances that they didn’t capitalize on. It takes a breakdown off the rush and an excellent shot from Darzins to get Latvia on the board. Expect Canada to bear down and finish off their chances here. 

6:39 p.m. — GOAL! Latvia is on the board thanks to a Rainers Darzins snipe. He comes down wide, cuts to the middle on a 2 on 2 and beats Cossa over the right shoulder. A sensational shot by Darzins, but not a great defensive play by Carson Lambos who gets caught turning around and allows Darzins to cut in and find open space. Tie game with under two minutes to go. 

Rainers Darzins ties it for Latvia! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/9N9wA1gRfq

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 10, 2022

6:36 p.m. — Kent Johnson just walked through two Latvians defenders cutting inside from the wall and fed Donovan Sebrango for the one-timer that misses wide. An incredible display of hands with the backhand toe drag from the Blue Jackets prospect. 

6:34 p.m. — McTavish just had a wide open net on a wrap-around, but he couldn’t handle the puck. Bedard ripped a shot that was fought off by Berzins and ended up behind the net. McTavish collected the puck, but couldn’t get it cleanly in time before Gustavs Ozolins got a stick on his attempt. 

6:29 p.m. — Two chances for Tyson Foerster to put Canada up two are denied by Berzins. His first comes from a shot from the right side that Berzins fights off with his glove. Then seconds later, Kent Johnson fires a backhand pass to the backdoor where Foerster is, but he misses wide. 

6:22 p.m. — GOAL! Who but Bedard. He comes in off the regroup, pulls and rips it by the glove of Berzins. It’s his first of the tournament, technically fifth at the World Juniors after his four-goal game in December. 1-0 Canada less than eight minutes in. 

Connor Bedard scores goals. 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/O8rQ3oK3Ke

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) August 10, 2022

6:19 p.m. — No score through the first seven minutes, but it’s been all Canada. A couple of Grade A chances, but nothing really dangerous so far. Last chance came from a shot from the outside by William Dufour, but Patriks Berzins hasn’t let anything by him yet. 

6:17 p.m. — We have our first Michigan attempt, coming from a Michigan man himself, Kent Johnson. He tries to get under the puck behind the net, but can’t quite get it on the blade in order to wrap it around. 

6:15 p.m. ET — Connor Bedard jumping out early. He skates around and around the Latvia zone, before eventually firing a puck on net. Mason McTavish collects the rebound and goes to fire a backhand, but it’s deflected out of play. Some strong play out of Canada’s top line so far. 

Pregame

5 p.m. ET — Canada rolls out its first lineup of the preliminary round at the 2022 World Juniors. Riley Kidney slots in for Brennan Othmann up front after a rough pre-tournament scrimmage from the Rangers prospect. 

Our first look at Team Canada at the World Junior Championship. Brennan Othmann (NYR), Ethan del Mastro (CHI) and Brett Brochu are the scratches. Connor Bedard (2023) riding shotgun with Mason McTavish (ANA). Should be a great duo along with Joshua Roy (MTL). Lotta goals there. pic.twitter.com/UVEgS3f3Xc

— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) August 10, 2022

4 p.m. — Canada coach Dave Cameron announced that Sebastian Cossa will be the starter for the game against Latvia. While Dylan Garand is considered the No. 1 goalie, Canada goes with Cossa against what will be their weakest opponent of the tournament. The team also has a back-to-back, so it gives Garand a breather before Thursday’s game against Slovakia. 

Dave Cameron says Sebastian Cossa (DET) will start tomorrow for Canada. A bit of a surprise. There was a time in December where he looked like he might be the No. 3 guy. Belief then was that it was Dylan Garand’s net to lose and then Garand won CHL Goalie of the Year.

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) August 10, 2022

What channel is Canada vs. Latvia on today?

• Canada: TSN 1/4
• United States: NHL Network

TSN has all the World Juniors action in Canada, while in the United States, viewers can find the games on the NHL Network.

Gord Miller and Mike Johnson will be on the call live in Edmonton. James Duthie and Bob McKenzie will provide analysis in the intermissions as well.  

How to live stream World Juniors hockey games

Fans in Canada can stream all of the World Juniors games at TSN.ca or the TSN app. Meanwhile, U.S. fans can stream the tournament on fuboTV (7-day free trial) or catch the action on NHL.tv or the NHL app.

Canada vs. Latvia start time

• Time: 6 p.m. ET, 4 p.m. PT

The puck drops at 6 p.m. ET from Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, home of the Edmonton Oilers.

MORE: Team Canada 2022 World Juniors roster, results

It is the first game for Canada in the preliminary round, while it is the second for Latvia. 

Canada vs. Latvia odds

• Canada: -6.5 (-104)
• Latvia: +6.5 (-133)

Canada is a heavy 6.5 favorite entering its first contest of the World Juniors, according to Sports Interaction. 

Canada World Juniors schedule 2022

(All times Eastern)