Canada blanks Finland 4-0 at 2025 World Junior Men’s Hockey Championship

Hockey Canada (Wikimedia Commons)

Team Canada has won its first game at the 2025 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Men’s Hockey Championship in Ottawa, Ontario. On Boxing Day, the Canadians beat Team Finland 4-0.

In front of an excellent crowd of 17,997 at Ottawa’s Canadian Tire Centre, it was a strong performance by Canadian goaltender Carter George of Thunder Bay, Ontario, who made 31 saves for the shutout. George made six saves in the first period, five saves in the second period and 20 saves in the third period. The son of former Canadian curler Tara George was the second round pick by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2024 National Hockey League Draft.

Defenseman Matthew Schaefer of Hamilton, Ontario, who is in contention to be the number one pick in the 2025 National Hockey League Draft, led Canada in scoring with two points as he had one goal and one assist. Three other players scored for Team Canada. They were Toronto Maple Leafs prospect and right winger Easton Cowan of Strathroy, Ontario, who plays for the London Knights, Medicine Hat Tigers left winger Gavin McKenna of Whitehorse, Yukon, and Columbus Blue Jackets prospect and centre Luca Pinelli of Stoney Creek, Ontario, who plays for the Ottawa 67’s. Canada next plays Latvia on Friday.

 

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