Canada shuts out Finland

Finland - Canada 0-4

The game’s first goal came late in the opening period, with Canada outshooting Finland 17-6. Gavin McKenna, one of the tournament’s most highly anticipated players, found the back of the net at 19:08. McKenna, set up by a crisp pass from Matthew Schaefer, buried his own rebound after initially being denied. His goal was a fitting start for the WHL phenom, currently projected as the number one pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Early in the second period, Canada doubled their lead. Easton Cowan, a returning player from last year’s team, intercepted a turnover in Finland’s defensive zone and fired a pinpoint shot past Finnish goaltender Petteri Rimpinen at 25:22. Cowan, known for his record-breaking point streak in the OHL, showcased the kind of scoring ability that has made him a standout in junior hockey.

While the Finns began to generate more offense in the third period, they were unable to solve George, who made a number of critical saves, including a power-play stop on a dangerous one-timer from Benjamin Rautiainen. Canada responded by extending their lead late in the game. At 55:14, Luca Pinelli received a perfectly timed pass from Caden Price and converted from close range to make it 3-0. With just 19 seconds remaining, Schaefer added an empty-net goal, sealing the victory and completing his two-point night.

George, who made his World Junior debut in this game, was named Canada’s player of the game for his calm and composed performance in goal. Reflecting on his shutout, George said, “It’s something you dream of as a kid, and for it to actually happen, it doesn’t really feel real. I can’t thank my team enough. They blocked a lot of shots today.”

For Finland, Rimpinen stood out with 37 saves in his World Junior debut, earning player of the game honors for his side. Despite flashes of offensive potential, the Finns struggled to convert their chances, leaving them with work to do before facing Germany on Friday.

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