Canada beats Latvia in OT to reach world quarterfinals

HERNING, Denmark – Canada bounced back from a loss to Finland by edging Latvia 2-1 in overtime at the ice hockey world championship to clinch a spot in the quarterfinals on Monday.

Also, the Czech Republic edged Austria 4-3 and Russia shut out Slovakia 4-0.

Norway beat South Korea 3-0 to relegate the Asian debutant.

Captain Connor McDavid came to Canada’s rescue with a goal 46 seconds into overtime, knocking in a rebound in the air.

“We knew what they were gonna do, that they were gonna be solid,” McDavid said. “They didn’t give up much in the middle. But we found the way to win.”

Anthony Beauvillier gave favored Canada a 1-0 lead in the first period but they were not able to stretch the lead. Kristians Rubins tied it in the third.

“Their goalie played a hell of a game,” Beauvillier said. “We gotta find a way to be better, we gotta find a way to be perfect. It wasn’t perfect tonight.”

Latvia goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis stopped 31 shots.

The United States tops Group B in Herning, followed by Finland and Canada. They all secured quarterfinal berths.