Canada blanks Finland to open WJHC campaign

Canada opened its 2025 world juniors tournament on Thursday with a convincing 4-0 victory over Finland.

Canadian goaltender Carter George posted a 31-save shutout and was recognized as his team's player of the game. Canada was in control for most of the contest, but George brought the win home in the third period as Finland sent 20 shots his way.

George plays for the OHL's Owen Sound Attack and was a second-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings in 2024.

Goals from Gavin McKenna and Easton Cowan built Canada a 2-0 lead heading into the final period. Luca Pinelli scored a key insurance marker with less than five minutes remaining in the third and Matthew Schaefer added an empty-netter.

McKenna, who turned 17 on Dec. 20, is Canada's youngest player, but he showcased why he's the presumptive top pick for the 2026 NHL draft when he broke the ice with a slick goal in front late in the first period. McKenna became just the eighth player in tournament history to make Canada as a 16-year-old, and he currently leads the WHL with 60 points in 30 games despite leaving for Canada's training camp earlier this month.

Canada is aiming to avenge a fifth-place finish at last year's tournament. They're scheduled to take on Latvia on Friday in the second of four round-robin games.