OTTAWA — Canada showcased its talent and determination on the international stage, defeating Finland 4-0 in the opening game of the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championship on Thursday at the Canadian Tire Centre. Young phenom Gavin McKenna made his mark by scoring late in the first period, setting the tone for the tournament as Carter George delivered a stellar shutout performance with 31 saves.
Sharing his experience, McKenna, who just turned 17, reflected on the significance of the moment, saying, "Definitely a little bit of nerves. I tried to look at it just like it was another game, but seeing the crowd … it’s something I’ll alwaysremember forever." His goal came with just 51.4 seconds left to play in the opening period, showing exceptional skill as he roofed his own rebound under considerable pressure from the Finnish defense.
Goalie Carter George, 18, also made headlines as he faced increasing pressure from Team Finland, especially during the intense third period where he was blasted with 20 shots. George expressed his joy over the crowd's support, stating, "Unbelievable… It’s definitely a cool experience. To hear a crowd likethat cheer your name, it was just incredible. Definitely soaked it all in." His performance was integral to the Canadians' dominant start, reinforcing confidence after last year’s early exit from the tournament.
Joining McKenna on the scoresheet were Easton Cowan, Luca Pinelli, and Matthew Schaefer, who sealed the victory with his goal on the empty net. Head coach Dave Cameron was proud of the team, remarking, "We were real solid. You get ahead in this tournament against good teams, there’s gonna be push back." The Canadians' defensive strategy, coupled with their aggressive forechecking, proved effective against the Finnish team.
The defeat was particularly tough for goalie Petteri Rimpinen, who had to contend with 41 shots throughout the game, saving 37 but yielding four goals. His efforts, though admirable, could not stifle the momentum of the Canadian team, which has accumulated the most gold medals historically at the World Junior Championships.
This matchup was particularly significant as both teams are grouped alongside the United States, Germany, and Latvia. The Americans recently secured a resounding victory over Germany with a score of 10-4, setting up what promises to be competitive matchups moving forward. Sweden, Czechia, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Kazakhstan round out the other group.
McKenna’s goal also revealed Canada’s official goal song for the tournament, the 1980s hit “Live Is Life” by Australian pop band Opus, which set the tone for festivities. The atmosphere proved electric for the players, with many expressing their excitement to perform before local fans.
Brayden Yager, one of the returnees from last year’s team, acknowledged the challenge of moving forward, stating, "We've got to try not to dwell on the past. We’ve got a really special group. We’ve got the team to do something really special." The Canadian team, nursing last year’s disappointment of being knocked out in the quarterfinals, is eager to prove their mettle on home ground.
With their next game on Friday against Latvia, anticipation is high for the Canadian team to build momentum. The performance against Finland was not only a win but also served as confirmation of their competitive roster's fit and synergy.
Reflecting on the evening's events, Coach Cameron said, "You have to experience it… I’m sure they’ll be memories forever." The sense of unity, talent, and drive among the young players signals hope for the future of Canadian hockey as they strive for another gold medal at this prestigious tournament.
