World Juniors: Goalkeeper Adam Gajan saves 28 shots as Slovakia blanks Latvia 3-0

MONCTON, N.B. — Goaltender Adam Gajan got the shutout as Slovakia shut out Latvia 3-0 Friday at the World Junior Hockey Championship.

Filip Mesar, a first-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens, led the Slovak offense with a goal and an assist, while Alex Ciernik and Simon Nemec, second picks this year in the NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils , also scored.

Gajan, who plays for Chippewa Steel of the North American Hockey League, made 28 saves, while Latvian goaltender Patriks Berzins stopped 23 of 25 shots he faced.

Slovakia’s third goal, from Mesar, was scored in an empty net.

With the win, Slovakia moved into a tie with the United States for second place in Group B with two wins and one loss. Finland sits first with two wins and one overtime loss.

Regulation tournament wins are worth three points, overtime wins are worth two, and overtime losses are worth one.

Latvia finished last in Group B with one point from four games and will face the loser of today’s Germany-Austria match in a best-of-three relegation round which kicks off in Halifax on Monday.

The Slovaks complete the group match on Saturday against Switzerland.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on December 30, 2022.

The Canadian Press