United States avoids early tournament scare, holds on to defeat Latvia

It was a battle of David and Goliath in the third game of Day One at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship as the United States took on Latvia.

The Latvians held there own and actually played a relatively good first period, but after 20 minutes, the game was scoreless. The United States thought they had a goal with 30 seconds remaining in the opening frame, but the whistle was blown before Tyler Boucher poked the puck into Latvia's net. It went to a review and the call on the ice was confirmed, no goal.

24 seconds into second period, St. Louis Blues prospect Jimmy Snuggerud jammed at the loose puck in the crease and put it home to make it 1-0 for the United States.

Jimmy Snuggerud puts Team USA on the board after burying the loose puck 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/0F2PpZcLoT— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2022

Just over four minutes later, the Latvian struck back. On a give-and-go play, Rainers Rullers passed the puck to Anri Ravinskis, who scored to tie the game at 1-1.

TIC-TAC-TOE 🚨

Anri Ravinskis finishes off the pass from Rainers Rullers and this game is all tied up!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/kajKpYCNQi— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2022

Approaching the half-way mark of the second period, the United States regained their lead as Colorado Avalanche prospect Sean Behrens threw the puck on net from the point and it found a way past Latvian goaltender Patriks Berzins. 2-1 United States.

Sean Behrens point shot finds the back of the net 🚨

USA 2 - 1 Latvia#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/QkO8EPSga2— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2022

Roughly five minutes later, Latvian defenceman Niks Fenenko shot the puck from the points through a screen andpicks the top corner over Trey Augustine's shoulder to tie the game 2-2.

Niks Fenenko buries the point shot to tie the game 🚨

USA 2 - 2 Latvia #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/V6kLaBH7m9— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2022

Just under two minutes into the third period, Winnipeg Jets prospect Chaz Lucius made a nice play to chip it on his backhand over the glove Patriks Berzins to give the United States a 3-2 lead.

Chaz Lucius' backhand gives USA a 3-2 lead 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/evhx9giewE— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2022

The United States added a fourth goal nearly five minutes later. Detroit Red Wings prospect Red Savage was left alone beside the Latvian net, picked up the rebound and put it past Berzins to make it 4-2.

Red Savage buries the rebound to give Team USA some insurance 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/p837fRrSU7— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2022

New Jersey Devils top prospect Luke Hughes added to the United States' lead. Hughes took a shot from the point that went off both posts and in, which put the United States up 5-2.

Luke Hughes gets his first goal of the tournament 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/gjZxPmcd9I— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2022

The United States held on and avoided an early tournament scare by defeating the Latvians, 5-2. Latvia will be back in action on Tuesday against Switzerland, while the United States gets tomorrow off and will face Slovakia on Wednesday.

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