McKenna Breaks Through as Canada Takes Early Control Against Denmark
So here’s what unfolded in Canada’s World Juniors matchup against Denmark, and it was a night that felt like a turning point for a few young stars wearing the maple leaf. Canada came out flying and wasted absolutely no time setting the tone, jumping to a 3–0 lead after the opening period and leaving Denmark chasing the game almost immediately.
The spotlight was quickly taken by Gavin McKenna, the projected No. 1 overall pick, who finally got his first goal of the tournament in a moment that felt inevitable. Just over three minutes into the game, and on Canada’s first power play, the puck was moved cleanly, space was created, and McKenna buried his chance. It was the kind of goal that looked calm and confident, the type you expect from a player with his level of hype. That goal was his first of the tournament, and it pushed his total to six points in three games, quietly underlining how involved he has already been.
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Canada didn’t slow down after that opening strike. The pressure stayed on, and Denmark struggled to clear their zone as shots kept coming. Tij Iginla played a key role on the second goal, spotting Braeden Cootes drifting into space in the slot. The pass was delivered perfectly, and the finish was clean, sliding past Danish goaltender Patrick Tiedjen before he had much of a chance to react.
Less than two minutes later, the game felt like it was already slipping away from Denmark. Zayne Parekh fired a point shot that found its way through traffic and into the net, making it 3–0 before the first intermission. That goal continued a strong start to the tournament for Parekh, who now sits with three goals and four points through three games.
From a team perspective, the numbers told the story of the period. Canada outshot Denmark 15–1, controlled possession, and looked comfortable in all areas of the ice. Denmark didn’t earn a single power-play opportunity, while Canada capitalized on the one chance they were given. Carter George had a quiet period in the Canadian net, facing just one shot, while Tiedjen was kept busy from the opening faceoff.
This game carried extra weight for both sides. Denmark entered the matchup still searching for a win after losses to Finland and Czechia, and this marks their first time back in the tournament’s top division since 2019. For Canada, a win here puts them in prime position in Group B, setting up a massive showdown with Finland on New Year’s Eve to close out the round-robin.
If this first period was any indication, Canada looks locked in, confident, and ready to make a serious push as the tournament moves forward.
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