Canada - Latvia quick facts

Do you know: 

1. Canada is the Olympic champion from Vancouver 2010. No team has retained its Olympic crown since the Soviet Union recorded back-to-back titles at Sarajevo 1984  and Calgary 1988.
2. Since the quarterfinal stage was introduced in 1992, no defending champion has ever made it past this round. Canada can become the first reigning Olympic champion to reach the semifinals by successfully negotiating the quarterfinals
3. Canada's track record in Olympic quarterfinals since 1992 is five wins and one defeat. Its only loss at this stage came at Torino 2006 when it lost 2-0 against Russia
4. Canada and Latvia have met once before in men's Olympic ice hockey. At the Garmisch-Partenkirchen 1936 Olympic Winter Games, Canada defeated Latvia by 11-0
5. Canada has not won an Olympic gold medal in men's ice hockey outside of the Americas in 62 years, since it triumphed at Oslo 1952
6. Canada has won 14 medals total in Olympic men's ice hockey, three more than the next most decorated NOC, United States on 11
7. Canada has won all of its three matches so far in this tournament. It beat Norway 3-1 in its opener, proceeded to defeat Austria 6-0 and in its next match overcame Finland 2-1 in overtime
8. Latvia lost all three of its group matches in this tournament (1-0 against Switzerland, 4-2 against Czech Republic and 5-3 against Sweden), but still managed to reach the quarterfinals by exacting revenge on Switzerland (3-1) in the qualification playoff round
9. Latvia has assured itself of its best finish in a men's Olympic ice hockey tournament. Its previous best showing was ninth place in Salt Lake City in 2002. Latvia finished 12th and last in each of the last two Winter Games.

Quote of the game:

Kaspars Daugavins (Latvia) about strategy for the game vs Canada: "We'll just tell our goalie to stop every shot then you can't lose, right?"

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