Latvia Defeats Denmark, Secures Quarterfinal Spot in World Junior Championship

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Latvia Defeats Denmark, Secures Quarterfinal Spot in World Junior Championship

In a significant victory at the World Junior Championship, Latvia defeated Denmark 6-3, securing a spot in the quarterfinals. This win marks Latvia’s third consecutive advancement to the quarterfinals in the tournament’s history.

Highlights of the Match

Played at 3M Arena at Mariucci on the University of Minnesota campus, this match showcased standout performances from several Latvian players. Alberts Smits, a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, contributed notably with one goal and two assists.

Scoring Breakdown

Krisjanis Sarts opened the scoring for Latvia at 16:52 in the first period.
Alberts Smits extended the lead to 2-0 with a power-play goal early in the second period.
Oliver Larsen responded for Denmark, cutting the lead to 2-1.
Latvia quickly regained momentum with Markuss Sieradzkis and Antons Macijevskis scoring to push the lead to 4-1.
William Bundgaard narrowed the gap for Denmark, but Latvia answered with another goal from Bruno Osmanis.
Anton Linde scored for Denmark late in the game, but Kristers Ansons sealed the win with an empty-net goal.

Player Contributions

Bruno Osmanis and Olivers Murnieks, both eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, were instrumental in Latvia’s success. Osmanis notched a goal and an assist, while Murnieks delivered two assists.

Denmark’s Struggles

Denmark, playing its second game in as many days after facing Canada, struggled against a fresher Latvian team. Despite the setback, assistant coach Mikkel Boedker highlighted his team’s effort, emphasizing their resilience under pressure.

Future Matches

Looking ahead, Latvia will conclude its preliminary round against Czechia on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, Denmark will prepare for a relegation match against Germany on Friday at 12:30 p.m. ET.

This tournament not only demonstrated Latvia’s growth in junior hockey but also showcased the emerging talent of players eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, indicating a bright future for Latvian hockey.