SOCHI, Russia — On the eve of his 42nd birthday, Jaromir Jagr again showed why age is a pretty small number to him.

Jagr scored his second goal of the Olympics, Jakub Voracek got the tiebreaker in the second period, and the Czech Republic survived an early scare Friday for a 4-2 victory over Latvia in the men’s hockey tournament.

Jagr is a five-time Olympian, but he never managed more than two goals in any of his previous trips to the games. He got two goals in his first four periods in Sochi, and his steady play allowed the Czechs to hold off Latvia’s upset bid.

“I don’t get old, man,” Jagr said. “I am alive. God help me.”

Even if age has slowed Jagr or dimmed his incredible offensive skills — a matter of serious debate — he’s still one of the most entertaining players in Sochi, as evidenced by his goal against Latvia on a vicious wrist shot from the slot during a first-period power play. Jagr appeared to be the Czechs’ best forward in their first victory in Sochi, buzzing around the ice and causing havoc with his timeless flair.

“He just has that skill,” Latvia forward Zemgus Girgensons said. “No matter how old he is, he’s just an amazing player.”