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Recap: Canada-Latvia in Olympic quarterfinals

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CANADA V. LATVIA - QUARTERFINAL - Wednesday, 12 p.m. EST., CBC, TSN 1050 AM

FIVE KEYS

1. Speed Kills

With the talent and speed that the Canadians have, they should be able to skate the plucky Latvians into the ground. Latvia likely won’t have much in the tank on Wednesday. And even if the Latvians do, very few of their players have big-league speed.

2. Don’t Panic

The longer this game goes, the more the Canadians will wear down the Latvians, who were hanging on for dear life vs. the Swiss in the third period. While Latvia will be riding the emotion of its historic win, the class difference between the two squads is dramatic.

3. Let’s Get Physical

Arguably the strongest element the Latvians bring to the table is their physical play, with several big bodies capable of bouncing Canadian players around. But there is no need for Canada to shy away from the physical play.

4. Open It Up

This may be the best possible draw for coach Mike Babcock’s crew given that the Swiss play the stifling defence that Norway and Finland did in earlier games.

5. Oh Canada

You are Canada. You are the defending champions and the Olympic favourites facing a team that is headed to the quarterfinals for the first time in history.

LAST FIVE GAMES

  • 2010 world championship Canada 6, Latvia 1 (preliminary round, Mannheim, Germany)
  • 2009 world championship Canada 4, Latvia 2 (quarterfinal, Bern, Switzerland)
  • 2008 world championship Canada 7, Latvia 0 (preliminary round, Halifax)
  • 2006 world championship Canada 11, Latvia 0 (qualifying round, Riga, Latvia)
  • 2005 world championship Canada 6, Latvia 4 (Innsbruck, Austria)

Join Bruce Garrioch and the Sun team on the ground in Sochi before, during and after today's game. Garrioch will be here at 11:30 a.m. EST. to start taking your questions before taking you through the action.

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