"Savage" "Need to chill out": NHL fans react as Zayne Parekh & Carter Yakemchuk appear to throw shade at Team Canada after World Junior loss to Latvia

Latvia pulled off a huge upset by defeating Canada 3-2 in a shootout at the World Junior Championship. Eriks Mateiko scored the winning goal in the eighth round, sealing one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.

After the game, Zayne Parekh and Carter Yakemchuk, both left off Canada’s roster, drew attention online. B/R Open Ice noted that they “liked” posts about Canada’s loss.

"Zayne Parekh and Carter Yakemchuk, two of the snubs from Canada’s #WorldJuniors roster, dropped likes on posts after Canada’s massive upset loss against Latvia, " B/R Open Ice tweeted on Saturday.

NHL fans reacted quickly on social media.

"savage," one fan said.

"Anybody that actually watched that game witnessed Canada completely dominate but they got goalied. Repeating that performance ends in victory 9 out of 10 times for Canada. People need to chill out," another fan said.

"Good for them! They were totally snubbed and both should be in the team." a fan wrote.

Here are some more fan reactions.

"Not a good look for either of them. You may have a beef with the coach(es), but to like seeing your teammates lose?" a fan wrote.

"If they were left off the team for attitude issues they certainly proved team Canada right," another fan wrote.

"These boys are so happy right now, and rightfully so. They got screwed over, and now they are witnessing what happens when you don’t take the best players," one fan said.

Some saw it as lighthearted fun, while others defended Canada, blaming Latvia’s strong goaltending for the loss.

Latvia’s Peteris Bulans, Eriks Mateiko and Linards Feldbergs helped in defeating Canada

Latvia’s Peteris Bulans and Eriks Mateiko scored crucial goals, while Calum Ritchie and Jett Luchanko scored for Canada. Linards Feldbergs made 54 saves in 65 minutes for Latvia and Bruno Osmanis provided two assists.

The game was close from the start. In the second period, Luchanko gave Canada a 1-0 lead with a breakaway goal during a penalty kill. Latvia tied the game in the third period with Bulans scoring on a power play.

Ritchie restored Canada’s lead with a powerful one-timer from Easton Cowan’s pass. However, a late penalty on Ethan Gauthier allowed Latvia another power play. Bulans scored again, tying the game with 2:29 left.

Canada survived a penalty for having too many players on the ice in 3-on-3 overtime. In the shootout, Mateiko scored the winning goal in the eighth round, completing Latvia’s stunning upset.