Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins takes entire Latvian team out for dinner!

In case you missed it yesterday, team Latvia secured their second round robin win of the 2025 World Junior Championships with an overtime victory over Germany.

The Latvians, of course, defeated Canada in a shocking upset earlier this week and yesterday they accomplished something that they've never done in their country's history: They've gone 2-1 in their first 3 games of the tournament and have guaranteed themselves a spot in the Quarter-Finals.

Following their victory over Canada the team's celebration was incredible. The young men were screaming in celebration, hugging one another and jumping up and down. Head coach Artis Abols delivered an impactful speech, telling his team that they are rewriting history.

Check it out:

Chills... how can you not root for these boys?

I'm a red blooded Canadian hockey fan, but I know a feel good story when I see it.

Latvia is a small hockey nation with just about two dozen players making it to the NHL in their short history as a country. forwards Zemgus Girgensons, Teddy Blueger and goaltenders Elvis Merzlikins and Arturs Silovs are the biggest Latvian stars in the NHL currently. Merzlikins of the Columbus Blue Jackets was so inspired by his nation's performance against Canada that he paid for the entire team to go out for a team dinner on his dime in downtown Ottawa.

Goaltender Linards Feldbergs put up heroic performances for Latvia in this tournament and openly spoke about how cool it was to speak to Merzlikins, his personal hero. "We are small country, but we can do big things. I have heard from Elvis, good words to me and the team. He's my role model yeah, I would say. I was really happy when I saw his message. Dinner was really good and I enjoy every moment, thanks Elvis!"

"That was unreal," said captain Peteris Bulans. "He got to Facetime us and tell us a speech and it was really motivational for us today."

Kudos to Merzlikins for stepping up and showing these young kids what it means to be true professional.

Lai dzīvo Latvija!