Canada could not have asked for a better start to the 2025 World Juniors.
Team Canada secured a 4-0 shutout over Finland on Thursday night in Ottawa, picking up their first win in Group A play at the annual U20 IIHF competition. Carter George turned aside all 31 shots he faced en route to the victory.
The first two periods were all Canada, as Dave Cameron's team outshot Finland 29-11 through 40 minutes of play. Gavin McKenna, the cousin of Connor Bedard and consensus No.1 pick in 2026, opened the scoring for Canada in the first period, and Easton Cowan doubled the lead in the middle frame. It felt as though the Canadians were playing up a man for long stretches of play, despite it being at even strength, allowing the team to build momentum into the final period.
Despite a push by Finland in the third period, George and the Canada defense held the opposition off the scoreboard. A Luca Pinelli goal gave the Canadians insurance, and Matthew Schaefer added an empty-net goal to seal the deal.
Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen was by far the best player on the ice for the Finns, recording 38 saves in the losing effort. He picked up player of the game honors for Finland after the contest, and George got the nod for the victors.
Both Canada and Finland get back in action on Friday. The Canadians have a matchup against Latvia, while the Finns take on Germany earlier in the day.
MORE: World Juniors standings, schedule, results
The Sporting News provided the updates and highlights from the Canada vs. Finland group play game at the 2025 World Juniors.
Canada vs. Finland final score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | F | |
| Canada | 1 | 1 | 2 | - | 4 |
| Finland | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 |
Canada vs. Finland results, highlights from 2025 World Juniors
(All times Eastern)
Final: Canada 4, Finland 0
10:06 p.m.: Canada gets out to an outstanding start to the 2025 World Juniors with a 4-0 win over Finland in the opener. Carter George recorded 31 saves in the shutout victory, as the Canadians held off a third period push from the Finns. It was a dominant two periods of play before Finland finally got things going in the third, but it was a great way to kick off the tournament for Dave Cameron's crew.
10:03 p.m.: Tanner Howe receives an unsportsmanlike penalty following the Schaefer goal, so Finland has a power play for the final 19 seconds.
Canada 4, Finland 0
10:02 p.m.: GOAL! Matthew Schaefer spins and sends a 200-foot clearing attempt down the ice, and the puck slides into the empty net to seal the deal. It's 4-0 Canada with 19 seconds to go.
10:01 p.m.: Martone is out of the box and it's 6 on 5. Numerous blocked shots by Canada results in cheers from the Ottawa crowd each time, and a Carter George glove save with 56 seconds left sends the fans into jubilation.
9:58 p.m.: Finland takes its timeout before the power play, and Rimpinen is on the bench. It'll be 6 on 4 with the goalie pulled for the FInns.
9:57 p.m.: Porter Martone clips Emil Pieniniemi in the face with his stick, and he gets two minutes for high-sticking. Finland will head to the power play with 2:46 remaining.
9:55 p.m.: Roope Vesterinen nearly answers right back for Finland, as his pass to the front of the net deflects right to George, but the Canadian goaltender makes the stop. A scrum ensues after George is slashed on the hand, and coincidental minors for roughing go to Andrew Gibson and Kalle Kangas.
Canada 3, Finland 0
9:53 p.m.: GOAL! Canada gets an insurance goal courtesy of Luca Pinelli with 4:46 to go. Caden Price makes an exceptional individual effort to dance around a Finland player at the blue line and eventually dishes it off to Pinelli. The Ottawa 67s captain places it perfectly inside the post for the goal, and Canada can breathe a bit.
CANADA STRIKES AGAIN!
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2024
Luca Pinelli finishes off the beautiful play by Caden Price to extend Canada's lead.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/eZc3jJNZe6
9:50 p.m.: Calum Ritchie nearly extended the Canada lead to three with a between-the-legs shot at the top of the crease, but it won't go. Oliver Bonk sent a seam pass from the point right to Ritchie's tape, but the attempt from the Avalanche prospect was turned away by Rimpinen.
Calum Ritchie goes between-the-legs but Petteri Rimpinen comes up with the save!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/VpXz7etxrp
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2024
9:43 p.m.: Finland is finally starting to find its groove. The team has the last eight shots on goal, and are finally starting to tire out the Canadian defense. It's still 2-0 with less than 10 minutes left in the contest.
9:38 p.m.: Canada kills off the power play, but not without a few close calls. Carter George was called upon twice to make big saves, once on Konsta Helenius and another on Benjamin Rautiainen, and he comes through for the Canadians to keep it a 2-0 game. Finland put four shots on George during the man advantage.
9:35 p.m.: Finland heads to the power play with 13:39 left in the third period, as Tanner Moldenyk is called for holding. Finland failed to score on its only other PP opportunity in the game.
9:30 p.m.: Matthew Schaefer and Ethan Gauthier go down on a 2 on 1 for Canada, but Gauthier's attempt is denied by Rimpinen's pad.
9:28 p.m.: The third period is a go from Ottawa.
End of the second period: Canada 2, Finland 0
9:09 p.m.: After 40 minutes, Canada leads 2-0, as Easton Cowan's goal doubles the lead in the second period. The Canadians have dominated play, keeping possession in the Finnish zone for a majority of the contest. For long stretches, it has felt like Canada is playing up a man, despite it being even strength on the ice. Shots on goal in the period were 12-5 in favor of Canada, giving them a 29-11 lead in the game.
9:07 p.m.: With less than two minutes left, Finland finally records its 10th shot on goal. Benjamin Rautiainen had the best look, as he tried to find Jesse Kiiskinen at the back door on a 2 on 1, but Sam Dickinson's defensive effort negates the opportunity.
Sam Dickinson makes a huge defensive play in front of Canada's net!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/QcbMcJWsnK
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2024
9:04 p.m.: Canada fails to score on the power play yet again, but that was the best the power play has looked so far. Berkley Catton came close, asPorter Martone's one-touch pass to Catton gives him a golden chance in the slot, but his one-timer goes right into the gut of Rimpinen.
9:01 p.m.: Canada is going back to the power play. This time, it's Arttu Alasiurua who is called for high-sticking after getting his twig into the face of Tanner Howe. Canada goes to its third power play with 4:02 left in the second frame.
8:55 p.m.: Finland kills off the Tuhkala minor penalty, and it's back to even strength. The power play has not been good for Canada, and Oliver Bonk in particular has struggled manning the point.
8:52 p.m.: Off the opening power play possession, Heikki Ruohonen pokes the puck by Oliver Bonk and gets a shorthanded breakaway, but his chance is stopped by Georgie. That's the best look Finland has had all game. It's strange how Canada looks like it's on the power play at 5 on 5, but when it is up a man, the team has looked its worst.
8:51 p.m.: Arttu Tuhkala drills Cole Beaudoin from behind, and he is going to get two minutes for boarding. Canada heads to the power play with 9:28 left. The team is 0-for-1 on the man advantage so far, and the first power play was unimpressive.
8:48 p.m.: Finland gets its best chance so far in the second period, with a tick-tack-toe passing play off the rush, but the shot doesn't get on goal. It's still 2-0 with 9:35 left in the middle frame, and the shots on goal are 24-8 in favor of Canada.
Canada 2, Finland 0
8:42 p.m.: GOAL! Easton Cowan picks off a Finland clearing attempt and he makes the Finns pay, sniping one by the blocker of Rimpinen to give Canada 2-0 lead. That was a bad turnover by Joona Saarelainen and an excellent read by Cowan, who doubles the Canadian lead with 5:22 into the second period. Canada is picking up right where it left off in the first, skating circles around Finland in the middle frame.
EASTON COWAN INTERCEPTS THE PASS AND RIFLES ONE HOME TO MAKE IT 2-0 CANADA 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/RYf3zOywrs
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2024
8:36 p.m.: Canada kills off the penalty, and right after, Ethan Gauthier goes down on a breakaway for Canada, but his backhand attempt is turned aside by Rimpinen. The Finnish goaltender read the deke the entire time, staying square to Gauthier and swallowing up his attempt.
Petteri Rimpinen with a big breakaway save on Ethan Gauthier!
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2024
It remains 1-0 Canada.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/kuil5bSczh
8:34 p.m.: The second period begins with Finland still on a power play for 1:52 from the Tanner Howe minor at the end of the first.
End of the first period: Canada 1, Finland 0
8:16 p.m.: The first period ends with Canada up 1-0 thanks to Gavin McKenna's late goal. The Canadians were all over the Finns for a majority of the period, but could not best Rimpinen until McKenna's tally with 52 seconds left. Canada dominated the shots on goal category, besting Finland 17-6. Excluding the power play, it was an excellent opening frame for Canada at the World Juniors.
8:15 p.m.: Tanner Howe clips Mitja Jokinen low and he gets two minutes for tripping with nine seconds left in the first period.
Canada 1, Finland 0
8:12 p.m.: GOAL! Canada strikes first and guess who — Gavin McKenna. The 17-year-old collects a pass from Matthew Schaefer at the side of the net, and uses his patience to force Rimpinen low to the ice. He is denied with his five-hole attempt at first, but then McKenna roofs it with 52 seconds left to get Canada on the board. The 2026 draft prospect has been as advertised so far, and he gives Canada a late lead in the opening frame.
CANADA STRIKES FIRST 🗣️
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2024
Gavin McKenna buries his own rebound to give Canada a 1-0 lead.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/7RwTO9jSBv
8:11 p.m.: Back to even strength as Canada kills off the Luchanko minor. Finland had a time of zone time, but not a great scoring chance. Canada was able to keep the Finns to the outside.
8:08 p.m.: Right after Canada's power play expires, Finland is heading to one. Jett Luchanko will sit for two minutes for boarding Veeti Vaisanen with 4:26 left in the first period.
8:07 p.m.: Finland kills off the Miettinen minor penalty. A few chances for Canada on the man advantage, but Finland did an excellent job getting into passing lanes to disrupt the power play.
8:03 p.m.: Julius Miettinen trips up Tanner Howe going for a rebound, and Canada goes to the power play with 6:40 left in the frame.
8:01 p.m.: Beaudoin gets another scoring chance on a wraparound, but he's denied by Rimpinen. The Finland goaltender has been stellar so far.
Cole Beaudoin with a wraparound chance but Petteri Rimpinen makes the stop!
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2024
Canada vs. Finland still scoreless in the 1st.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/pzlBOd2vZV
7:58 p.m.: Canada comes inches away from opening the scoring as Cole Beaudoin deflects a shot from the point, but it sails high over the net. It's still scoreless with nine minutes to go in the first period.
7:55 p.m.: Gavin McKenna's skill with the puck is a treat to watch. His ability to weave in and around defenders with the puck on his stick is standing out early against Finland.
7:49 p.m.: Canada's strategy early on is clear — get pucks on Rimpinen, no matter the location. Shots on goal are 8-2 in favor of Canada through the first seven minutes, but the score remains 0-0.
7:46 p.m.: It's a feisty start to this one. Matthew Schaefer and Konsta Helenius waste no time getting acquainted, putting their gloves in each other's faces in an extended scrum after the whistle.
7:44 p.m.: Two great chances in the first two minutes for Canada, but they can't find the back of the net. First, Porter Martone gets a one-timer off in the slot, but he's denied by Rimpinen's pad. Then, Berkley Catton races in and beats a defender to get a shot on Rimpinen, but it's denied by the Finnish goalie's shoulder.
7:40 p.m.: The puck is down. Canada vs. Finland is underway.
Pregame
7:18 p.m.: On the other side, Finland boasts a deep forward group headlined by Konsta Helenius, Kasper Haltunnen, and Jesse Kiiskinen. The Finns are weaker on the back end, with captain Aron Kiviharju and Emil Pieniniemi expected to take on the brunt of the duties on defense. While Finland may not be the most skilled squad at the tournament, the nation is known for its structured systems that have led to success in international play.
7:06 p.m.: In addition to McKenna, there are a plethora of other intriguing talents on the Canadian roster. In total, there are 10 first-round picks on the roster, with two more (Porter Martone and Matthew Schaefer) expected to be first-round picks in 2025.
7 p.m.: The player everyone is going to have their eyes on is Canada's Gavin McKenna, the early consensus No. 1 overall pick for the 2026 draft. The 17-year-old leads the WHL in scoring with 60 points in 30 games with the Medicine Hat Tigers. It will be interesting to see how Dave Cameron deploys McKenna early on in the tournament, with the star anticipated to begin action in a top-six role.
Every D-2 player to play for u20 Team Canada at the World Juniors in the last 20 years:
— Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) December 27, 2024
— Connor Bedard
— Alexis Lafreniere
— Connor McDavid
— John Tavares
— Sidney Crosby
And now, Gavin McKenna. pic.twitter.com/48BvmRnLix
6:40 p.m.: Here are the lineups for Canada and Finland for the Group A action. Carter George, a Kings prospect, is expected to get the start in net for the Canadians, while Petteri Rimpinen is projected to get the nod for the Finns.
Lineup locked in. 🇨🇦
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 26, 2024
La formation est confirmée. 🇨🇦#WorldJuniors | #MondialJunior pic.twitter.com/bbSU7RLTGE
Canada vs. Finland lines for tonight. Carter George (LAK) is expected to start in net. pic.twitter.com/NpMtDCIMyK
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) December 26, 2024
6:20 p.m.: Canada and Finland opened up against one another at the 2024 World Juniors, with the Canadians picking up a 5-2 victory in Sweden. The two also faced off against one another in the memorable 2022 World Juniors gold medal game. That contest went to overtime, where Mason McTavish made a sensational stop along the goal line before Kent Johnson scored the golden goal, for Canada, snatching the gold medal out of Finland's grasp.
What channel is Canada vs. Finland on today?
- TV channels: TSN (Canada) | NHL Network (United States)
- Live stream: TSN app (Canada) | Fubo (United States)
Canada vs. Finland will air on TSN in Canada and NHL Network in the U.S.
Viewers can also stream the game on the TSN app in Canada and Fubo in the U.S.
Canada vs. Finland start time
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 26
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | 4:30 p.m. PT
Canada vs. Finland will start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 26.
It is the first game for both teams at the tournament, and the second game in Group A. The United States defeated Germany earlier in the day on Thursday.
2025 World Juniors schedule
Thursday, Dec. 26
| Matchup | Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Sweden 5, Slovakia 1 | FINAL |
| USA 10, Germany 4 | FINAL |
| Czechia 5, Switzerland 1 | FINAL |
| Finland vs. Canada | 7:30 p.m. |
Friday, Dec. 27
| Matchup | Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Switzerland vs. Slovakia | 1 p.m. |
| Germany vs. Finland | 3:30 p.m. |
| Sweden vs. Kazakhstan | 5 p.m. |
| Latvia vs. Canada | 7:30 p.m. |
Saturday, Dec. 28
| Matchup | Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Kazakhstan vs. Czechia | 1 p.m. |
| Latvia vs. USA | 3:30 p.m. |
Sunday, Dec. 29
| Matchup | Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Switzerland vs. Sweden | Noon |
| USA vs. Finland | 2:30 p.m. |
| Czechia vs. Slovakia | 5 p.m. |
| Canada vs. Germany | 7:30 p.m. |
Monday, Dec. 30
| Matchup | Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Slovakia vs. Kazakhstan | 1 p.m. |
| Germany vs. Latvia | 3:30 p.m. |
Tuesday, Dec. 31
| Matchup | Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Kazakhstan vs. Switzerland | Noon |
| Finland vs. Latvia | 2:30 p.m. |
| Sweden vs. Czechia | 5 p.m. |
| Canada vs. USA | 8 p.m. |
Thursday, Jan. 2
| Matchup | Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD - Relegation Game | 11 a.m. |
| TBD vs. TBD - Quarterfinal | Noon |
| TBD vs. TBD - Quarterfinal | 2:30 p.m. |
| TBD vs. TBD - Quarterfinal | 5 p.m. |
| TBD vs. TBD - Quarterfinal | 7:30 p.m. |
Saturday, Jan. 4
| Matchup | Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD - Semifinal | 3:30 p.m. |
| TBD vs. TBD - Semifinal | 7:30 p.m. |
Sunday, Jan. 5
| Matchup | Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD - Bronze Medal Game | 3:30 p.m. |
| TBD vs. TBD - Gold Medal Game | 7:30 p.m. |
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