Canada Shuts Out Latvia 6-0 in U18 Men’s World Championship Opener
Canada opened its 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship campaign with a dominant 6-0 victory over Latvia in preliminary round play. The win marked a strong start for the defending champions, who outshot their opponents 48-19 and received balanced offensive contributions across the lineup.
Forward Dima Zhilkin led the attack with a goal and an assist, while teammate Adam Valentini matched the effort with his own goal and assist. Tynan Lawrence, Kohyn Eshkawkogan, and two additional Canadian players likewise found the scoresheet in the shutout performance.
Latvia struggled to generate offensive pressure throughout the game, managing just 19 shots on goal and failing to test Canada’s goaltender meaningfully despite battling hard in spurts. The Canadian defense held firm, limiting Latvia to minimal high-danger chances and clearing the zone effectively under pressure.
The victory positions Canada favorably in the standings early in the tournament, reinforcing its status as a top contender for the gold medal. With depth scoring and strong defensive structure on display, the team aims to build momentum as it advances through the preliminary round.