Canada beats Latvia 2-1 at 2026 World Junior Hockey Championships

Gavin McKenna (Kaiser Matias, Wikimedia Commons)

Team Canada has won their second straight game to begin the 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Men’s Hockey Championship in Minneapolis. Minnesota. On Saturday, Canada defeated Latvia 2-1 in overtime.

Canada received goals from forwards Cole Reschny of Macklin, Saskatchewan, and Michael Hage of Oakville, Ontario. Reschny and Hage both play in the National Collegiate Athletic Association and are drafted by Canadian teams. Reschny plays with the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks and was drafted in the first round, 18th overall, by the Calgary Flames in the 2025 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Hage plays for the University of Michigan Wolverines, and was drafted in the first round, 21st overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

The other Canadian star in the game was left winger Gavin McKenna of Whitehorse, Yukon. McKenna, who plays for the Penn State University Nittany Lions, had two assists for two points. He is projected to be selected first overall in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. If McKenna receives the honour, he will are the first player ever from the Yukon to be drafted first overall.

Canada’s next game is against Denmark on Monday. Denmark is 0-2 so far as they were beaten 6-2 by Finland and 7-2 by the Czech Republic.

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