HALIFAX -- Emils Veckaktins scored twice and Bogdans Hodass had a goal and two assists as Latvia defeated Austria 5-2 and moved a step toward remaining among the top-level world junior teams.
Dans Locmelis and Sandis Vilmanis also scored for Latvia, which outshot Austria 46-13.
Luca Auer and Vinzenz Rohrer scored for Austria.
The teams meet again Wednesday. The winner of the regulation series will appear at next year's world juniors in Goteborg, Sweden, while the loser will be relegated to Division I Group A.
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