With a building sponsored by a bank, maybe it’s no surprise that ‘save’ was the word of the day at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center on Thursday.
 

 

 

 

 

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Following Slovakia’s 1-0 shootout win over Finland, where the goalies combined for 60 saves, hockey fans in Allen were treated to their second-straight goalie duel, this time between Latvia and Norway, and also their second-straight shootout at the 2025 IIHF World Men’s Under-18 Championship.

Norway’s Felix Timraz-Westin and Latvia’s Ivans Kufterins combined for 61 saves in this game, with Timraz-Westin getting the bulk of the rubber thrown his way. The Norwegian goalie was phenomenal in turning away 40 of the 41 shots he faced.

Oddly, he was taken out of the game for the shootout and could only watch as Latvia scored twice on Norway backup Olivers Freimanis to secure a 2-1 shootout win and claim two points in the Group A standings. After the game, Timraz-Westin explained why he didn't take part in the shootout.

"The other goalie is better at penalties and I was a little bit tired so the coach said he’s going to take penalties. He’s better," said Timraz-Westin.
 

Latvia’s Kufterins, meanwhile, had the final smile, as he stopped all four Norwegian shooters he faced in the shootout. Maksims Saperins and Daniels Serkins scored for the winners.

"We played an outstanding game, we had great performances as a team," said Serkins. "We started the game strong with a shorthanded goal. But we took too many penalties and we lost our momentum. But in the second period, I think we dominated, got lots of puck on net, we just couldn’t put it in the back of the net. And in the third period, I felt like we should have had a couple more goals. But thanks to our goalie and the entire team, we got the win in the end."

You never want to place too much emphasis on the opening game for both teams at a tournament but this game felt like both teams knew what was on the line. Latvia and Norway are in tough in Group A against the other three teams in Canada, Finland and Slovakia and this result could help boost Latvia to a fourth (or better) place finish in the group and avoid the relegation game.

"We knew this game was going to be one of the most important games in the group and we’re very glad we won," said Serkins.

That said, there’s a lot of hockey to be played, with both teams still having three preliminary-round games.

On Thursday, Timraz-Westin was named Norway’s player of the game and it was well deserved. The save of the game (perhaps the tournament, so far) came midway through the third period. With the score tied 1-1, the Latvians got a powerplay and Karlis Flugins found himself alone in close on the right side. The puck made its way to Flugins, who seemingly had a wide open net but Timraz-Westin somehow slid across and got a glove on the puck, stopping an exasperated Flugins.

"I think I was out of position a little bit but I got out the catcher and I got it. You have to get those sometimes," said Timraz-Westin.

Latvia’s Kufterins also had his fair share of remarkable saves. In the second, Kufterins stopped Tor Elis Hannson from the slot, with the rebound going right to Norwegian Tinus Luc Koblar, who tried to beat Kufterins with a quick shot but was stymied.

Both goals came in the first period.

The Latvians got into penalty trouble in the opening frame, with all three minors being called against Latvia. Just past the first minute, Roberts Gasuns went to the box for tripping. Norway, though, couldn’t capitalize and, in fact, gave up a shorthanded goal to Latvia when Roberts Naudins forced a turnover at the Norwegian blueline and then fed the puck to Martins Klaucans, whose quick snap shot got past Timraz-Westin.

The penalties did catch up to Latvia midway through the period. Janis Glaznieks was off for tripping, then Krisjanis Sarts took a cross-checking penalty and Norway had a lengthy 5-on-3 powerplay. The Latvians would kill the first one but, with a 5-on-4, Norway capitalized when Klaucans took a pass from Roberts Naudins and fired a one-timer past Kufterins.

Defenceman Alberts Smits was named Latvia’s player of the game. 

Norway faces Finland on Thursday, with Latvia off until Friday, when it will meet Canada.