The captain of the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs has a new favourite hockey moment.
Prior to the IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa, Ont., a pre-season game with the Washington Capitals and scoring the winning goal against Sweden at the under 18 Men’s World Championships topped Eriks Mateiko’s list.
Then, the puck dropped against Team Canada on Dec. 27.
Mateiko found the back of the net twice during Latvia’s first game of the tournament – getting his team on the board with a third period goal and scoring in the eighth round of the shootout for the win.
“It’s definitely Canada now for sure, especially in Canada, emotions were crazy,” said Mateiko.
“I feel like when you go in a shootout and you feel like you can end it, for me I don’t feel pressure, I feel more excited.”
The 19-year-old alternate captain and the other Team Latvia players swarmed goaltender Lindars Feldbergs, who completed 48 saves on 50 shots through regulation time …