<a href='https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/latvia-upsets-canada-world-juniors-shootout-1.7419684' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Canada got brutally upset 3-2 against Latvia</a>, and Maple Leafs top prospect Easton Cowan spoke out after he had a horrible performance. <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl/news/two-canadian-prospects-who-were-left-off-team-canada-fired-massive-shots-at-them-after-upsetting-loss' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Canada fell to Latvia in a stunning 3-2 shootout loss</a> that is probably the biggest upset of this World Juniors so far. Among the Canadian shooters unable to score was Easton Cowan, while <a href='https://www.nhl.com/capitals/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Washington Capitals</a>' 2024 third-round pick Eriks Mateiko finally sealed the game for Latvia with the decisive shootout goal. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1872850335615836583'> </a></blockquote></div> Following the loss, Easton <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/easton_cowan_breaks_silence_following_his_disappointing_performance_against_latvia/s1_17430_41484033' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Cowan spoke of his role as a veteran on the team</a> and how he needed to step up and play better. I know I can be better, especially on the power play. I know I'm way better than that. And 5-on-5 I know I can be better too. Yeah, I guess it starts with me being an older guy.....I feel like I can get to the middle of the ice more. - Easton Cowan <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1873157910639067150'> </a></blockquote></div> While he leads Canada in points for the tournament, the 19-year-old has been targeted by fans online both for his missed shootout attempt and for his connection to a polarizing NHL franchise, the Leafs. The Cowan shootout miss overshadowed a consistent two-way contribution throughout the tournament. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Leafslatest/status/1873076131370549301'> </a></blockquote></div> Much of Canada's struggles have fallen unfairly on his shoulders, and hockey pundits and enthusiasts alike have also failed to recognize general problems in the team performance and others who missed in the shoot-out as well. <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl/news/nhl-executive-is-furious-and-publicly-bashes-team-canada-regarding-their-roster' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>The loss has brought up some heat</a> on head coach Dave Cameron and Team Canada's roster decisions that include excluding the likes of promising talents such as Zayne Parekh, Michael Hage, Carter Yakemchuk, and Beckett Sennecke. And, as one of the only returning players on a pretty inexperienced roster, <a href='https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/player/easton-cowan-8484158' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Cowan</a> and his teammates will look to regroup and find a way to capitalize on those offensive opportunities. With renewed pressure on them to bounce back, <a href='https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025-world-juniors-top-standouts-as-canada-beats-germany-3-0' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Canada will next face Germany</a> tonight at 7:30 p.m. eastern.