Josh Brook, Jett Woo and Team Canada opened up the 2017 IIHF Under-18 World Championship with a 4-1 win over Latvia on Thursday in Slovakia.

Both Moose Jaw Warriors defencemen saw plenty of ice time in the win for Canada.

Hamilton Bulldogs forward MacKenzie Entwistle led the offence for Canada with a goal and two points.

The first period was back-and-forth with Latvia getting plenty of zone time thanks to a few early power plays.

Brandon Wheat Kings forward Stelio Mattheos scored on a penalty shot to open the scoring midway through the first period, but Latvia’s Rihards Paskausks tied the game 1:52 to go in the opening frame.

The shots were 13-10 for Canada in the opening frame, but the Canadians held Latvia to just nine shots over the next 40 minutes.

Canada fired 25 shots on Latvia goalie Niklavs Rauza in the second period alone, picking up goals from Victoriaville Tigers forward Maxime Comtois and Guelph Storm forward Isaac Ratcliffe to take a 3-1 lead after two.

Entwistle scored midway through the third to seal the win for Canada as they held Latvia to just three shots in the final period.

Prince Albert Raiders goalie Ian Scott made 18 saves to backstop Canada to the win.

The Canadians will be back on the ice on Saturday to face the host Slovakia squad. Puck drops at 11:30 a.m. Saskatchewan time.