Spezza scores twice as Canada levels Latvia at World Championship
Jason Spezza scored a pair of goals and added an assist as Canada opened its World Hockey Championship schedule with a 6-1 victory over Latvia on Friday.
Spezza assisted on Nathan MacKinnon's marker, which opened the scoring midway through the first period, then scored one of his own three minutes later to give Canada an early 2-0 lead.
MacKinnon's Colorado Avalanche teammate, Matt Duchene, increased Canada's lead about one minute later to cap off the first-period scoring and give Team Canada a 3-0 lead. MacKinnon finished with a goal and two assists.
Los Angeles Kings forward Tyler Toffoli provided another insurance marker early in the second frame, making it 4-0 at the 2:20 mark. Less than 45 seconds later, Spezza picked up his second goal.
That chased Latvian goaltender Ervins Mustukovs, who was replaced by Edgars Masalskis.
Former NHL forward and current Dynamo Moscow winger Kaspars Daugavins provided the lone goal for Latvia, beating Canadian goaltender Mike Smith with less than eight minutes remaining in regulation.
Sidney Crosby roofed a penalty shot over Masalskis with 23.2 seconds to go, extending the lead to 6-1.
Canada outshot Latvia 42-17, including a 19-5 edge in the second period.
The Canadians face Germany on Sunday. Latvia plays the Czech Republic on Saturday.