The 2022 World Juniors did not go as well as the United States had hoped. After dominating their group in the preliminary round, Czechia suffered a surprise loss to the USA in the quarter-finals to knock out the 2021 champions.
The return trip to the U.S. begins today as the team opens the 2023 World Juniors with a match against Latvia.
Once again, the Americans are expected to be in contention for the gold medal. Luke Hughes and Logan Cooley are the two returnees from the 2022 squad. The U.S. averaged more than a point per game in the 2022 series, with both having six points in five games.
Also: Watch 2023 World Juniors Live on fuboTV (Free Trial, US Only)
Cutter Gauthier, Jimmy Snuggerud and Lane Hutson are three newcomers expected to play key roles for America. Both Gauthier and Snagerud were dominant with Cooley during their time with the U.S. U18 team and played together again ahead of the tournament’s official start. Hudson is expected to play second fiddle to Hughes.
Latvia has struggled to stay afloat at the top World Juniors, but is coming off its best finish at the 2022 World Juniors. The country beat Czechia in their final group game, earning their first win in the preliminary round.
With this historic victory, Latvia advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time. However, the team lost to Sweden, finishing the tournament in seventh place.
This will be the fourth time the USA has played Latvia at the World Juniors. The U.S. has won the previous three matches, outscoring Latvia 30-4 overall.
Also: Team USA roster, 2023 World Juniors schedule
Sporting News will provide live updates and highlights of the USA-Latvia matchup at the 2023 World Juniors.
USA vs Latvia Score
| connect | P1 | P2 | B3 | OT | F |
| America | — | — | — | — | — |
| Latvia | — | — | — | — | — |
USA vs Latvia Live Updates, 2023 World Juniors Highlights
at all times (ET).
First period
4:30 pm – The first penalty of the game goes against the Americans as Gavin Brindley is called for slashing.
4:27 pm – USA needs to be better at managing the puck and winning 1-on-1 battles. Latvia capitalized on a couple of Grade-A chances.
4:19 pm – Two big chances for the US, both created by Jackson Blake, but Patrick Bergins saves both. Blake got the pass close to the net while driving in front, but didn’t have a ton of room to get around Bergins. He then had another point-blank chance at the side of the net, but shot right at Bergins.
4:15 pm – Five minutes in, it’s clear that Latvia’s game plan is to stack the middle and keep the USA out. The Americans have spent a lot of time in the offensive zone on the perimeter so far.
4:11 pm – In the opening minute, Latvia almost got on the board. Ryan Ufko’s worst turnover behind the net goes in front of Martins Lavins, but his shot is deflected wide.
4:10 pm – The puck is down and America’s journey to the 2023 World Juniors begins.
Pre game
3:30 p.m.- Trey Augustin gets the net pass over Kaiden Mbereko for the United States. Mbereko was the No. 1 starter at the 2022 World Juniors, but Rand Pecknold goes with the US U18 goalie.
Trey Augustin gets the nod in net for the U.S. ahead of Kaiden Emberego, who started four games in the August tournament. Augustin is a draft-eligible goalie for Michigan State for 2023-24. 12-0-2, 2.10, .930 for USNTDP U-18 this season.
— John Rosen (@jonnyrosen) December 26, 2022
3:15 pm – This is how both teams will line up for their opener. Same lines and parallels from their two exhibition games for America.
Queues for USA and Latvia at 4:30 PM EST.
Trey Augustin (2023) gets the start in goal for the U.S. opener against the Latvians, unchanged from the U.S.’s pre-tournament games. #WJC2023 #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/sYpu5HpOu9
— Brandon Holmes (@BHolmes_Hockey) December 26, 2022
Today which channel USA vs. Latvia?
- USA: NHL Network
- Canada: TSN 1
TSN carries all World Juniors action in Canada, while in the US, viewers can watch games on the NHL Network.
EJ Hradek will provide play-by-play coverage for NHL Network. He will be joined on the broadcast by analyst Dave Starman and reporter John Rosen.
Dennis Bayock and Craig Button will be on call for USA games for TSN. Laura Diagun and Dave Reed will be in the studio.
How to Live Stream World Juniors Hockey Games
US fans can stream the match on fuboTV (which comes with a free trial), NHL.tv or the NHL app.
Fans in Canada can stream all World Juniors games on TSN.ca or the TSN app.
USA vs Latvia Odds
- USA: -5.5 (-119)
- Latvia: +5.5 (-116)
- O/U: 7.5
According to SportsInteraction, the USA opened as big favorites over Latvia, with the bookline in favor of the Americans at 5.5.
USA World Juniors Table 2023
(Eastern at all times)
| Date | Opponent | As a result | Time (ET) | TV info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 26 | Latvia | — | 4 pm | TSN, NHLN |
| December 28 | Slovakia | — | 4 pm | TSN, NHLN |
| December 29 | Switzerland | — | 4 pm | TSN, NHLN |
| December 31st | Finland | — | 4 pm | TSN, NHLN |
| January 2 | TBD (quarter end) | — | TBD | TSN, NHLN |
| January 4 | TBD (Semifinals) | — | TBD | TSN, NHLN |
| January 5 | TBD (Gold Medal Game) | — | TBD | TSN, NHLN |
