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Canada was expected to dominate at the World Junior Hockey Championship, but after a lackluster 3-0 win over Germany, the question is: Are they truly the powerhouse we thought they were?

The Canadians may have claimed victory, but it was far from convincing. The game remained tense right up until the final minutes, with Canada holding just a 1-0 lead late into the third period. It wasn’t the expected blowout, especially considering Canada’s dominant 18-0 record against Germany in previous World Junior matchups, outscoring them 111-26 in those contests. This time, however, the scoreline flattered Canada more than their play warranted.

“I don’t know, it’s a quick turnaround,” said forward Berkly Catton, reflecting on the team’s struggles early in the game. “Maybe from that other loss (to Latvia), that was pretty hard, that hurt. But we’ve got to be ready.”

So, How Did We Get Here?

Several factors have contributed to Canada’s underperformance in Ottawa. While the team was built with an emphasis on grit and team chemistry, it seems that Canada may have sacrificed talent in the process. Their special teams have been subpar, their discipline has been questionable, and some of head coach Dave Cameron’s decisions have raised eyebrows.

Through three games, Canada has scored just nine goals—a concerning total given the wealth of talent on the roster. A number of players who could have bolstered the team were left off the final roster, with notable absences like Michael Misa (OHL points leader) and defensemen Zayne Parekh and Carter Yakemchuk. Meanwhile, on the defensive side, standout Matthew Schaefer is out with a broken collarbone, and the back end lacks the offensive punch to keep up with Canada’s high-powered forward group.

Despite generating a significant number of shots, Canada’s offense has struggled to get pucks on net from high-danger areas. Against Germany, for instance, the team registered 10 shots in the second period but failed to get any on goal from the slot or near the crease. The lack of traffic in front has made it easy for opposing goalies to stay focused, and Canada’s inability to score in tight has been a glaring issue.

The power play has also been ineffective, converting just once in seven opportunities before the Germany game. It wasn’t until the third match of the tournament that Cameron reunited the highly productive London Knights trio of Easton Cowan, Oliver Bonk, and Sam Dickinson, who had previously been separated. That reunion paid off when Bonk, in front of his home crowd, scored a key power-play goal, assisted by Cowan.

Yet, despite generating offense when they played together, Cameron has not given this trio enough ice time. Against Latvia, Cowan, McKenna, and Catton were the most effective line, but they weren’t rewarded with the minutes their play warranted. McKenna, in particular, was one of the few bright spots against Germany, registering the most shots on goal of any Canadian forward but still saw limited ice time.

Discipline and Special Teams: Big Red Flags

Canada’s penalty troubles continue to be a major issue. The team has averaged 10 penalty minutes per game through the first three contests, and many of the penalties have been needless. Slashing and cross-checking penalties against Germany, including undisciplined plays from Bonk and Ethan Gauthier, could have proved costly. Canada simply cannot afford to take unnecessary penalties as the tournament progresses.

Cameron chalked up some of the penalties to the challenges of adjusting to international refereeing, noting tighter calls on the world stage. However, many of the infractions were avoidable, and Canada must clean up its discipline if they are to contend for a medal.

Goaltending: A Bright Spot Amid the Struggles

The one area where Canada has excelled is in net. Goaltender Carter George has been nothing short of spectacular, earning a shutout against Germany with 25 saves. It was his second consecutive shutout, and he made several key saves, including a sprawling stop on a penalty kill early in the game. George has been the steady hand in a stormy tournament for Canada, and his composed play has provided a glimmer of hope for the team’s title aspirations.

“I feel pretty confident in the net, just trying to stay in the moment the whole time and play with calmness,” said George, who is enjoying an incredible World Juniors debut.

His coach and teammates have been quick to praise his performance, with Cameron calling it “unbelievable.” George almost added a goalie goal to his impressive resume, just missing an empty-net attempt late in the game. Later, he made a perfect pass to Mathieu Cataford, who sealed the win with an empty-net goal.

What’s Next for Canada?

With the U.S. game on the horizon, Canada faces a crucial challenge. After a narrow win over Germany and an embarrassing loss to Latvia, it’s clear that they aren’t the invincible force they were expected to be. A loss to the Americans on New Year’s Eve could see Canada finish third in their group, raising serious doubts about their chances for a medal.

However, with the right adjustments—better power play execution, improved discipline, and a more consistent offensive effort—Canada still has a shot at turning things around. As Cameron put it, “You need different clubs in your bag to win this tournament. Right now, our defense and goaltending are leading the pack.”

Canada must find a way to sharpen its offense and improve its special teams if it hopes to mount a serious challenge for the gold medal. Time is running out, and the pressure is mounting. The next game could make or break their tournament.

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