Canada opens Deutschland Cup with 4-2 win over Latvia

Goaltender Adam Munro stopped 21 shots and was named Canada’s player of the game as Team Canada beat Latvia 4-2 to open the Deutschland Cup on Thursday in Hanover, Germany.

Canada dominated the game, spending much of the time in the Latvia end and registering 31 shots on goal. Pascal Trepenier scored at the 7:08 mark of the first period, with the assists going to Martin Kariya and Steve Kelly. Kariya, who had three breakaways and was Canada’s leader on offence, scored at 7:10 of the second to give Canada a 2-1 lead. Kariya’s goal was set up by Francois Méthot and Paul Traynor. Canada took a 3-2 lead late in the second, with Méthot scoring at 18:32. The assists went to Jason Jaspers and Trepenier. Canada sealed the victory at 9:37 of the third, when Colin Forbes set up Brad Smyth’s goal.

Canada (1-0) is gunning for its second straight Deutschland Cup championship and can qualify for the Sunday’s final with a victory over Slovakia on Saturday. The teams meet at 8:30 a.m. ET.

First Period
Goal 1 - Canada - 7:08 - Trepanier from M. Kariya, Kelly - ES
Goal 2 - Latvia - 14:43 - Ozolins from Dzerins, Berzins - ES

Penalties
1:57 - Latvia - Galvins - 2mins Tripping
16:53 - Canada - Methot - 2mins Charging
19:45 - Latvia - Galvins - 2mins Charging

Shots on Goal
Canada - 6
Latvia - 3


Second Period
Goal 3 - Canada - 27:10 - M. Kariya from Methot and Traynor SH
Goal 4 - Latvia - Vasiljevs from Redlins and Mamonovs ES
Goal 5 - Canada - 38:32 - Methot from Jaspers and Trepanier SH

Penalties
22:03 - Latvia - Ankipans - 2mins Charging
22:21 - Latvia - Astasenko - 2mins Delay of game
25:07 - Latvia - Berzins - 2mins Holding
26:15 - Canada - Julien - 2mins Hooking
29:29 - Latvia - Sirokovs - 2mins Tripping
35:01 - Canada - M. Kariya - 2mins Tripping
35:01 - Canada - Kelly - 2mins Elbow
35:01 - Latvia - Berzins - 2mins Rough
36:43 - Canada - Bouchard - 2mins Charging

Shots on Goal
Canada - 16
Latvia - 6

Third Period
Goal 6 - Canada - 49:37 - Smyth from Forbes and Munro ES

Penalties
40:47 - Latvia - Lavins - 2mins interference
42:52 - Canada - Beardsmore - 2mins Slashing
47:15 - Latvia- Vasiljevs - Tripping 2mins
48:09 - Canada - Julien - Holding 2mins

Shots of Goal
Canada - 9
Latvia - 14

Game Stars
Canada - Munro
Latvia - Raitums (goalie)