Canada vs. Germany final score, results: Shorthanded Canadians survive, finish second in Group A at World Juniors

Bryan Murphy

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Canada vs. Germany final score, results: Shorthanded Canadians survive, finish second in Group A at World Juniors image

Canada had to sweat it out, but the defending World Juniors champions held on to defeat Germany 6-3 in the final group play game at the 2024 tournament. 

The final score may say otherwise, but make no mistake — Canada had its hands full with Germany on Sunday. The two sides entered the third period tied at 2-2, however, the Canadians ripped off four tallies in the period to pull away with the victory. 

Macklin Celebrini led the way for Canada with two goals, as the top 2024 draft prospect continued to be the best player on Alan Letang's crew. Brayden Yager, Owen Beck and Jordan Dumais all lit the lamp as well, with Easton Cowan adding an empty-net goal. Mathis Rousseau picked up his third win at the World Juniors, making 17 saves in net. 

Canada spent the majority of the game shorthanded at the forward position. Already without Matthew Savoie, who was ruled out with a lower-body injury, Conor Geekie was controversially ejected 11 seconds into the game for a hit to the head. 

With the win, Canada finishes second in Group A, setting up a date with Czechia in the quarterfinals. The rematch of last year's gold medal game will take place on Tuesday.

The regulation loss dropped Germany to fifth place in Group B, and the team will have to play Norway in the relegation game. 

BET NOW:2024 World Juniors odds at Sports Interaction

The Sporting News provided all the updates and highlights from the Canada vs. Germany group play game at the 2024 World Juniors.

Canada vs. Germany final score

  1 2 3 OT F
Canada 2 0 4 - 6
Germany 1 1 1 - 3

Canada vs. Germany results, highlights from 2024 World Juniors

(All times Eastern)

Final: Canada 6, Germany 3

4:04 p.m. — It certainly was not pretty, but Canada hangs on to defeat Germany, finishing group play in second place in Group A. It sets up a rematch of the 2023 gold medal game in the knockout stage, as Canada will face Czechia in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. With the regulation loss, Germany will play against Norway in the relegation game. 

3:59 p.m. — Bittner back to the bench with 2:18 to go. 

Canada 6, Germany 3

3:57 p.m. — GOAL! Easton Cowan's first shot at the empty German net goes off the post, but he puts it on the second chance to seal the deal. It's now a three-goal lead with 2:46 remaining. 

3:56 p.m. — Bittner to the Germany bench for the extra attacker. 

Canada 5, Germany 3

3:53 p.m. — GOAL! Celebrini puts Canada up by two with 3:58 remaining. Bittner comes out to try and beat Celebrini to a loose puck, but the Canadian forward pokes the puck around the Germany goalie and sends it into the open net. That should provide some breathing room for the defending World Juniors champs. 

3:52 p.m. — Canada is hanging on to a one-goal lead with less than five minutes left. We haven't seen the desperation push yet by Germany as Canada has done a strong job maintaining position and limiting the time spent in its own zone. 

3:46 p.m. — Oliver Bonk and Lutz each get coincidental minor penalties for roughing. It will remain 5 on 5. 

Canada 4, Germany 3

3:41 p.m. — GOAL! Just like that, Canada retakes the league on a power play goal by Dumais a minute after the tying goal. Poitras initially dished a pass to Rehkopf in the slot and his shot was stopped by Bittner, but Dumais made no mistake on the second chance. Canada up again by one with 11:28 remaining. 

3:40 p.m. — Right after the Sumpf goal on the Germany power play, Canada is heading to a power play of its own. Celebrini draws a slashing call on Paul Mayer. 

Canada 3, Germany 3

3:38 p.m. — GOAL! The power play comes through yet again for Germany and it's back to a tied game. A shot from the point by Julius Sumpf gets deflected off Danielson, and there was no chance for Rousseau to make a save. Three power play goals for Germany today, all on shots through traffic. It's 3-3 with 12:49 left in the third. 

3:36 p.m. — Owen Allard races in on a shorthanded breakaway for Canada, but he can't settle the puck for a shot attempt. 

3:33 p.m. — Germany is heading to the power play as Dumais misses a one-timer and his follow through clips Jakob Weber in the nose. There is blood, so it's a double minor. Alan Letang is not happy on the Canadian bench, as a high stick on the follow through of a shot should not be a penalty. Regardless, it's a four-minute PP for Germany down by one. 

Canada 3, Germany 2

3:29 p.m. — GOAL! Canada gets back on top as Rehkopf finds Owen Beck on the rush for the wide open tap-in goal. Rehkopf drew Bittner out of the net by looking like he'd go behind the net, but then quickly slid the puck to Beck, who was looking at a completely open cage. Canada leads again 1:40 into the third. 

3:27 p.m. — The final period between Canada and Germany is underway. Reminder, Canada needs just a single point to secure the No. 2 spot in Group A, while Germany needs a single point to avoid the relegation game. 

End of the second period: Canada 2, Germany 2

3:09 p.m. — After two periods, it's surprisingly a tied game between Canada and Germany. The Canadians controlled most of the middle frame, skating circles around the Germans for the last half of the period. However, Canada could not find the a way to beat Bittner in the frame. The power play goal by Kechter was the lone goal of the period, putting Germany in a great spot to get the point it needs to avoid the relegation game. 

3:05 p.m. — Ty Nelson threads a lengthy pass to Poitras at the far blue line to send the Bruins forward in on Bittner. However, a strong backcheck by the german defender forced a quick shot by Poitras, which missed high and went out of play. The chances for Canada have been there, but the finish hasn't. 

2:58 p.m. — Another reason for a lack of shots on goal — Canada is playing too unselfishly. The constant extra passes are resulting in missed opportunities, and Germany has adjusted nicely by getting sticks in passing lanes to break up the movement. Canada has managed just 17 shots on goal despite carrying most of the play. Still tied 2-2 with under seven minutes left in the second. 

2:53 p.m. — The shots missing the net are killing Canada. It was an issue against Sweden, and it has continued over into today against Germany. Canada just had a couple of shifts with sustained offensive zone pressure with multiple shot attempts, but too many aren't even getting on Bittner. 

2:44 p.m. — Canada can't convert on the power play and it's back to 5 on 5. Rehkopf should have scored after the slick pass from Jordan Dumais, but it remains a tie game. 

2:42 p.m. — Carson Rehkopf was looking at a gaping goal at the side of the net, but he fumbled the puck and couldn't get a shot off. It looked like he was ready to pass the puck anyway when all he needed to do was tap it in for the goal on the backdoor. 

2:40 p.m. — Poitras draws another penalty on Hauf, as he's cross-checked into the boards by the German defender. That's a dangerous shove that far away from the boards. Canada heads to its third power play of the game 3:46 into the second; the Canadians are 1 for 2 on the man advantage so far against the Germans. 

Canada 2, Germany 2

2:37 p.m. — GOAL! Germany needs just 23 seconds on the power play to light the lamp, as Kechter snipes one far side on Rousseau. That's almost the same exact goal as Lutz is in the first, just on the other side of the Canadian goaltender. It's back to a tied game 1:29 into the middle frame. 

2:36 p.m. — Noah Warren is called 1:26 into the second for holding. The lack of discipline continues to be an issue for Canada at the World Juniors. Germany heads to its second power play of the game. 

2:34 p.m. — The second period between Canada and Germany is a go. 

End of the first period: Canada 2, Germany 1

2:16 p.m. — Canada heads into the first intermission up by one goal. Germany was able to take advantage of the Geekie major with a PP goal in the first few minutes, but Canada took over after, potting two goals to lead 2-1. Canada outshot Germany 13-3 in the first period. 

2:14 p.m. — The Germans kill off the Hauf minor. Canada put four shots onto Bittner, but the PP unit could not beat the Germany goaltender. 

2:11 p.m. — Luca Hauf lays a dangerous hit on Matthew Poitras, and Canada is heading to another power play. Somehow, Hauf was only called for two minutes for boarding. That's surprising to see that the officials aren't even going to review the play. Canada to the man advantage for the second time with three minutes left. 

Canada 2, Germany 1

2:05 p.m. — GOAL! Canada gets its first lead of the game with a power play goal from Brayden Yager. Fraser Minten got away with a high stick at one end, and with the German player down, Yager takes a slick pass from Nate Danielson and deposits the puck into the open net. That's a really bad missed call and allows the Canadians to go up 2-1 with 5:37 left in the period.  

2:02 p.m. — Canada heads to its power play of the game with 7:07 left in the period. Philipp Sinn is called for holding on Easton Cowan. 

2 p.m. — Roman Kechter just made a sensational play to save a goal for Germany. Denton Mateychuk was looking at a wide open net with Bittner way out of his crease, but the German defenseman slides into the crease and got enough of the shot with his skate to send it wide of the net. 

Canada 1, Germany 1

1:53 p.m. — GOAL! Macklin Celebrini does what he does best, using his speed and finesse to get into the offensive zone and he snaps a wicked wrister by Matthias Bittner 6:20 into the first to tie the game. The top 2024 prospect was forced to sit while Canada killed the major penalty, but he wastes no time getting Canada on the board on his first shift. 

1:52 p.m. — It's back to 5 on 5 as the major penalty ends, but Germany took advantage with the Lutz goal. 

Germany 1, Canada 0

1:48 p.m. — GOAL! Germany gets on the board first thanks to a goal from Julian Lutz. The German forward snaps a shot at the top of the circle through traffic and places it perfectly inside the post. It's a 1-0 Germany lead 2:57 into the game. 

1:43 p.m. — After review, the officials assess Geekie a five-minute major and a game misconduct for checking to the head. He hit him hard with his shoulder, but the shoulder went right into his head given the size difference. Germany is heading to a five-minute power play.

1:40 p.m. — Conor Geekie takes a penalty just 11 seconds into the game. He laid a heavy hit up high on Samuel Schindler. The officials are going to review the play. 

1:39 p.m. — Puck is down and Canada-Germany is underway. 

Pregame

1:25 p.m. — Canada is going with Mathis Rousseau yet again in net. It's a bit of a surprising move, considering Rousseau started the three previous games. However, Alan Letang is electing to go with the undrafted prospect rather than give Samuel St. Hilaire the start, however, a goaltending change could very well happen if the contest gets out of hand.  

1:10 p.m. — Today marks the 17th meeting between Canada and Germany on the World Juniors stage. The Canadians have won every contest so far, outscoring the Germans 101-23 in the previous 16 games. 

12:50 p.m. — Here are the lines for Canada vs. Germany. As noted, no Savoie for the Canadians, so they will play with 12 forwards. Moose Jaw's Jagger Firkus was added to the roster, but the Kraken prospect will not get to Sweden in time for the game. 

12:30 p.m. — Canada will play shorthanded at forward today. Matthew Savoie has been ruled out of the game against Germany with a lower-body injury. His status was up in the air heading into the contest, but he will sit out ahead of the knockout stage commencing on Tuesday. 

What channel is Canada vs. Germany on today?

  • TV channels: TSN (Canada) | NHL Network (United States)
  • Live stream: TSN app (Canada) | Fubo (United States)

Canada vs. Germany 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.

STREAM:Watch 2024 World Juniors with Fubo (free trial)

Canada vs. Germany start time

  • Date: Sunday, Dec. 31
  • Time: 1:30 p.m. ET | 10:30 a.m. PT

Canada vs. Germany will start at 1:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 31 

The two sides are battling for seeding in Group A. While Sweden has already locked up the top seed, the three other spots in the knockout stage are up for grabs. 

World Juniors odds 2024

Here are the pre-tournament odds for the top 10 teams (via Sports Interaction):

Team Odds
USA +200
Canada +250
Sweden +275
Finland +550
Czechia +1500
Slovakia +5000
Switzerland +6600
Germany +10000
Latvia +30000
Norway +50000

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World Juniors schedule 2024

Sunday, Dec. 31

Matchup Time (ET) TV
USA vs. Slovakia 6 a.m. TSN/NHL Network
Sweden vs. Finland 8:30 a.m. TSN/NHL Network
Czechia vs. Switzerland  11 a.m. TSN/NHL Network
Canada vs. Germany 1:30 p.m. TSN/NHL Network

Bryan Murphy

Bryan Murphy Photo

Bryan Murphy joined The Sporting News in 2022 as the NHL/Canada content producer. Previously he worked for NBC Sports on their national news desk reporting on breaking news for the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, in addition to covering the 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, he spent time in college as a beat reporter covering the men’s ice hockey team.