Canada defeats Latvia in exhibition game ahead of PyeongChang 2018

Chalk up a win for the Canadians.

Team Canada defeated Team Latvia 2-0 on Sunday in the first of three pre-tournament games leading up to PyeongChang 2018.

Defensemen Marc-Andre Gragnani and Mat Robinson provided the offense for Canada, while netminder Ben Scrivens turned aside 27 shots for the shutout.

Latvian goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, a third-round draft pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2014, stopped 21 of 23 shots in the defeat.

Canada has two games remaining in pre-tournament action against Belarus and Sweden before opening its schedule against Switzerland on Feb. 15.