Team Canada won its first game of the 2023 International Ice Hockey Federation World Men’s Hockey Championship. On Friday, Canada trounced Latvia 6-0 from Riga. Latvia is one of two nations hosting the World Men’s Hockey Championship. The other nation is Finland.
Calgary Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar of Ottawa, Ontario led Canada in scoring with three points. He had one goal and two assists. Weegar was one of two Canadians with a multi-point game. The other was Detroit Red Wings center Joe Veleno of Kirkland, Quebec, who had one goal and one assist for two points.
Four more Canadians scored in the game. They were St. Louis Blues left winger Samuel Blais of Montmagny, Quebec, Arizona Coyotes center Jack McBain of Toronto, Ontario, Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Laughton of Oakville, Ontario, and Arizona Coyotes center Lawson Crouse of London, Ontario.
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault of Becancour, Quebec made 23 saves for the shutout. He had eight saves in the first period, seven saves in the second period, and eight saves in the third period.
Canada’s next game is on Sunday against Slovenia. In Group A action. the United States defeated Finland 4-1. Finland enters the World Championship as the defending champion. They beat Canada 4-3 in overtime in the gold medal game last year in Tampere, Finland.
