Gajan makes 28 saves for the shutout as Slovakia forces Latvia into the relegation round

It was decision day at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. As many expected when the schedule was released, the two games on December 30th would decide who finishes in the fourth and final quarter-final spots in both Group A and Group B.

The first game of Day 5 was a Group B battle between Slovakia and Latvia. In order to have a chance at making the quarter-finals, Latvia needed to win this game in regulation and have Slovakia lose in regulation against Switzerland on Saturday afternoon.

Slovakia got the scoring started with just over two minutes remaining in the opening frame, while on the powerplay. Forward Alex Ciernik picked up the rebound at the side of the Latvian net and put it home to make it 1-0 Slovakia.

Alex Ciernik finds the loose puck in front as Slovakia opens the scoring on the power play! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/KP4qlQhHkl— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2022

The second period was scoreless, despite Latvia outshooting Slovakia 16-6, as it remained 1-0 heading into the final 20 minutes.

Just under 11 minutes to play in the third period, 2022 second overall pick Simon Nemec picked up his first goal of the tournament. Nemec fired the puck off the blocker of Patriks Berzins, then it hits the post and goes in to extend Slovakia's lead to 2-0.

Simon Nemec wires it off the post and in, giving Slovakia a 2-0 lead! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/vPXDQBkd5R— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2022

With just under three minutes to play, Montreal Canadiens prospect Filip Mesar sealed the deal, picking up an empty net goal to give Slovakia a 3-0 lead.

Filip Mesar finds the empty net, as Slovakia pushes the lead to 3 over Latvia #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/NKpinpjaaR— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2022

Slovakia would hold on to defeat Latvia, 3-0. The win puts Slovakia in a tie with the United States for third in Group B with six points and they also hold the tie breaker over the Americans after defeating them 6-3 on Wednesday.

With a regulation win on Saturday against Switzerland, Slovakia can finish second in Group B, which would see them face the third place team in Group A in the quarter-final

For Latvia, they'll have Saturday and Sunday off before opening up the best-of-three relegation round series against the fifth place team in Group A at 9:30 a.m. ET/10:30 a.m. local.

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