Carter George Keeps Finland Scoreless

Day One at the World Junior Championship

Group A

Team Canada has started the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship tournament with a shutout victory over Finland. Canada won 4-0 playing in their away team whites.

With just 51 seconds left in a chippy opening period Gavin McKenna put home the first goal of the tournament for team Canada. Denied the first time by Finnish netminder Petteri Rimpinen McKenna sure to put home the rebound. The 8th youngest player to ever suit up for Canada at the tournament turned 17 just a few days prior to the goal.

Each team killed a penalty in the first and with 8.5 seconds left in the opening frame Canada took a penalty into the second. Canada outshot the Finns 17-6 in the first period. Canada kept the pressure on in the second and Easton Cowan put in his first of the tournament with 5:22  into the second making it 2-0 for the home team wearing white.

The Finns came out strong in the third period, outplaying the Canadian men but Canadian goalie Carter George kept Canada on top. While Canada did bend they did not break. A late goal set up by Caden Price to Luca Pinnelli in front with 4:46 remaining put the game to 3-0 for the Canadian side.

In the last 3 minutes of the game the Finns pulled their goalie on a powerplay. Canada was swarmed in their own end but George made magic happen and earned the shutout. An empty net goal made it 4-0 for team Canada and the home crowd erupted. On the day George made 31 saves.

This was a real test for team Canada as the Finnish team is an elite contender. There remains room for improvement for Canada as the tournament progresses, particularly their weak powerplay which was unable to capitalize on 2 man-advantages.

Canada plays the last game of the day tomorrow (Friday December 26th) when they play Latvia in their first game of the tournament. Finland hopes to bounce back from the loss against Germany tomorrow afternoon.