Following an inspired effort and a shootout win against host nation Canada in its capital last night, Latvia rolled into its second tournament matchup against the United States with loads of confidence. On the other side of the ice, Team USA completed a scoring clinic in its opening win against Germany as it looks for back-to-back IIHF World Junior Championships.
Following a 5-1 win over the feisty Latvian squad, the United States can focus on a tough battle against Finland tomorrow. Meanwhile, Latvia can take a few positives away despite the loss to one of the strongest squads in the competition, including confidence in their goalie.
Hagens Looks Like a High Draft Pick Against Peers
Through two games at the World Juniors, it is clear why James Hagens is viewed as one of the best available undrafted prospects when playing against his peers. The Boston College product leads Team USA with six points in two games after adding two assists in the victory over Latvia. Those two helpers over six minutes helped extend the USA lead to 3-0, forcing Latvia to start to veer away from their defensive-minded game plan in a bid to tie the game.
Related: Standouts From the First Two Days of the 2025 World Juniors
The 18-year-old defenseman has been influential in the team’s 29% power play percentage (2-for-7), which ranks second behind Sweden’s 33% mark (2-for-6). Hagens nearly scored on a one-time blast with the man advantage, but a fantastic glove save by the Latvian goaltender stopped it. Expect the New York-born forward to be essential to Team USA’s repeat gold medal hopes.
WHAT A SAVE 😱
Linards Feldbergs makes an incredible stop on James Hagens.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/2mt2mK68WB
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 28, 2024
USA Defenseman Cole Huston Is Everywhere
Although he didn’t factor into the scoring on Saturday afternoon, Team USA blueliner Cole Hutson was everywhere on the ice against Latvia. Hutson, a second-round selection by the Washington Capitals in the 2024 Draft, helped to move the offense with slick skating and smooth zone entries, allowing the offensive-minded shooters to go to work.
The United States ranks second in shots on goal with 97 through two games, trailing Canada by one lonely shot through an even number of contests in Ottawa. The defense’s breakout passes and zone entries heavily assist some of those shots, allowing…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Hockey Writers…