Canada vs. Germany score, result: Canadians open 2021 World Juniors with 16-goal blowout

Jackie Spiegel, Dan Bernstein

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Canada vs. Germany score, result: Canadians open 2021 World Juniors with 16-goal blowout image

Let’s be honest: We all know that 2020 has been a weird year, with normalcy thrown out the window. But Saturday was Boxing Day and we finally had one normal event — Canada playing a world juniors hockey game.

And it was quite a showing by the home country.

The Canadians opened up the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship with a lopsided 16-2 win over a depleted German roster, who due to COVID-19 positive tests could only field a roster of 14 (nine forwards, five defensemen and two goalies). Great for beer league, not great for an international tournament against a powerhouse on the second night of a back-to-back.

Unfortunately, the results were indicative of that. 

While Sabres prospect John-Jason Peterka netted the Germans' first goal, the Canadians scored 16 led by a hat trick and three assists from his future NHL teammate Dylan Cozens. Dawson Mercer, Peyton Krebs, Alex Newhook and Philip Tomasino chipped in two apiece against German goalies Arno Tiefensee (four goals on 10 shots) and Jonas Gahr (12 on 34). Krebs’ first goal will be remembered for some controversy as the telecast showed it happened after the clock hit double-zeros. Much to everyone’s surprise, including TSN’s broadcasters Gord Miller and Ray Ferraro, it counted; reportedly, the actual game clock was slightly different and had 0.2 left when the puck crossed the goal line. 

In the end, Canada was two goals shy of its record of 18 goals in a single game and while there's the wondering about whether or not they should have let up a smidge, the team was focused on setting the table.

"It's our first game of the tournament. We've got to establish our good habits and we want to play the right way," said Cozens postgame. "I think just because we're up a lot we're not going to change the way we play. We want to pretend like it's still a close game and keep those good habits going. We weren't too focused on the score, just focused on playing the right way."

"We can't get away from our habits and working towards our goals in this tournament," added Mercer. "So, this new team coming up tomorrow then every other day. We got to keep on progressing and getting better day by day so we can be ready for when the medal rounds come to make sure we put our best foot forward. So we just had to keep on pushing and look at ourselves and make sure we're doing good for Team Canada."

While the Canadians potted seven goals in the middle frame, head coach Andre Tourigny was most pleased with the final one. 

"As a period we were the best at doing the little things ... all the stuff you need to do to win," he said. "We need to have the right habits and it was not about pushing the pace, it was not about trying to impress anybody, it was about playing the right way."

Canada did lose defenseman Braden Schneider in the first period after he made contact with the head of Germany’s Jan-Luca Schumacher and was assessed a five-minute major (Peterka’s goal came during this power play) and a game misconduct. There’s a good chance he may miss some time after the IIHF gives it another look.

In the end, every player in the line-up outside of the goalies, Kaeden Korczak, Connor Zary and Schneider got at least one point in the game. Canada will now face a rested Slovak club that won its first game 1-0 over Switzerland.

Sporting News tracked all the action as Canada looks to get off to a good start at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship.

(All times Eastern)

Canada vs. Germany scores, highlights from 2021 World Juniors preliminary game

Final: Canada 16, Germany 2

8:41 p.m.: GOAL. But for Germany! That breaks a stretch of 14 unanswered goals. 16-2, Canada.

8:22 p.m.: GOAL. Connor McMichael. Canada is two away from its all-time single-game scoring record. 16-1, Canada.

8:20 p.m.: GOAL. Thomas Harley. There are still more than 10 minutes left. 15-1, Canada.

8:14 p.m.: GOAL. Jakob Pelletier. Canada isn't letting up. 14-1, Canada.

8:13 p.m.: GOAL. Cozens gets his hat trick. 13-1, Canada.

8:10 p.m.: GOAL. Cozens helps Canada pick up where it left off in the second period. 12-1, Canada.

8:06 p.m.: Dylan Garand is now in goal for Canada.

8:05 p.m.: Canada is outshooting Germany 29-9.

End of second period: Canada 11, Germany 1

7:47 p.m.: GOAL. Krebs tallies his second finish of the contest. 11-1, Canada.

7:43 p.m.: GOAL. Double digits now. Dylan Cozens adds to the advantage. 10-1, Canada.

7:35 p.m.: GOAL. Philip Tomasino's turn to score. 9-1, Canada.

7:31 p.m.: GOAL. Make it eight! Newhook again. 8-1, Canada.

7:23 p.m.: Kirby Dach is watching this all from home. Has to be quite pleased.

7:21 p.m.: GOAL. Alex Newhook. Canada is pouring it on. That's seven in less than two periods. 7-1, Canada.

7:19 p.m.: GOAL. Canada is well on its way to a huge blowout. Ryan Suzuki takes advantage of another goalie mishap. 6-1, Canada.

7:17 p.m.: GOAL. Mercer strikes for Canada for the second time in the game. 5-1, Canada.

7:09 p.m.: Game on and Germany has a new netminder. Jonas Gahr is the replacement.

End of first period: Canada 4, Germany 1

6:50 p.m.: End of first period. Canada put one in the net just after the buzzer that won't count. UPDATE: A video review gives the goal to Canada! That's a surprising decision, as it appeared the puck crossed the goal line late. In any case, that's a big finish for Peyton Krebs. 4-1, Canada.

6:48 p.m.: Two-minute power play for Canada.

6:37 p.m.: GOAL. Canada answers right back. Phil Tomasino pretty much skates the full sheet and scores. 3-1, Canada.

6:35 p.m.: PP GOAL for the Germans! John-Jason Peterka (BUF) with an absolute snipe. 2-1, Canada.

6:29 p.m.: Braden Schneider is ejected for this hit. Five-minute power play for Germany.

6:26 p.m.: Canada doubles its advantage! Dawson Mercer slots a shorthanded goal around the cage and in. Terrible defensive play from Germany to give the puck away. 2-0, Canada.

6:17 p.m.: What a stop by Devon Levi on Tim Stuetzle. The Senators prospect tried to go around the sprawling netminder but is stopped by the pad.

6:16 p.m.: Ryan Suzuki flying in and is stopped. Canada is using its speed tonight.

6:15 p.m.: Canada almost immediately jumps in front! Kaiden Guhle finds the net. 1-0, Canada.

6:13 p.m.: From the jump, Canada comes out playing on all cylinders. Dylan Cozens misses an open net as he hits the crossbar.

Pregame

5:15 p.m. — Suiting up for the game.

5:10 p.m. — Lines are here.

2:24 p.m. — The new leadership group.

World Juniors 2021: Latest news

Tournament

USA

Canada

Jackie Spiegel, Dan Bernstein