Canada absolutely steamrolled Denmark 9-1 last night at 3M Arena in Minneapolis, jumping out to a three-goal lead in the first ten minutes and never looking back. Gavin McKenna lit it up with a slick hat trick, while Brady Martin dished out three assists, and a whopping 14 Canadian skaters picked up points in a total team domination that saw them outshoot the Danes 49-13. Coming off a 13-2 thrashing of the same squad in exhibition play, Canada extended their perfect 7-0 record all-time against Denmark—with a ridiculous combined score of 59-5—and kept their eyes on reclaiming gold after those brutal quarterfinal exits the last couple years. Denmark, fresh off promotion from Division I-A, has a tough road to stay in the top tier next year. Before the game, local legend and former Twins star Justin Morneau—yeah, the guy who was third-string goalie on that ’98 Memorial Cup-winning Portland team—dropped by the morning skate to fire up the boys, stressing how it all means way more when you’re battling for each other. Now the Canadians gear up for a massive New Year’s Eve showdown with Finland to lock down top spot in Group B.
Gavin Mckenna opened up the scoring for the Canadians at 3:17 of the first period with the assists on the goal going to Michael Hage and Brady Martin.–The Canadians got on the board early tonight via the power play. Gavin McKenna took a cross-ice pass from Michael Hage and didn’t miss with the opportunity at 3:17.
Seattle Thunderbird Braeden Cootes made it a 2-0 game for Canada at 8:36 of the first period with the assists on the goal going to Tij Iginla and Keaton Verhoeff.–They made it 2-0 five minutes later on another east-west pass, this from Tij Iginla to Braeden Cootes.
Zayne Parekh then gave Canada a 3 goal lead at 10:03 of the first period with the assists on the goal going to Caleb Desnoyers and Cole Beuadoin.–A Danish player broke a skate blade deep in the Canada end and struggled mightily to crawl to the bench. He wasn’t halfway there when Canada took advantage of the extra skater. Zayne Parekh finished the play with a high shot that eluded Patrick Tiedjen, who was making his debut with the national team.
Shots on goal in the first period were 15-1 for Canada
Florida Panthers 2025 4th rounder Mads Klyvo goes short side on Denmark’s second shot of the game to get Denmark on the board 28 seconds into the second period. The assists on the goal went to Martinus Uggerhøj Schioldan and Chicoutimi Sagueneen Anton Linde.
Beaudoin’s own stick smacked him in the face they went to give Denmark a 4 minute for high sticking and then had to recall it. In fairness from the angle the ref and even the teams benches would of seen it it may of looked like he got sticked in the face.
Porter Martone makes it 4-1 Canada on the Power Play at 6:11 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Zayne Parekh and Michael Misa.–Canada got that one back less than six minutes later, though. Captain Porter Martone connected on a one-timer during a power play to make it 4-1
Gavin McKenna makes it 5-1 Canada with his second goal of the game at 15:03 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Soo Greyhound Brady Martin and Edmonton Oil King Ethan MacKenzie.–McKenna got his second of the night at 15:05 off another one-timer.
Shots on goal in the second period were 16-5 for Canada
Michael Misa makes it 6-1 Canada at 4:41 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Porter Martone and Kashawn Aitcheson.–Michael Misa got the sixth goal off a great back pass from Martone behind the Denmark goal at 4:45.
Gavin McKenna completes the hat trick at 5:45 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Michael Hage and Brady Martin.–McKenna with a nice deke completed his hat trick.
Barrie Colt Kashawn Aitcheson makes it a 8-1 game at 14:16 of the third period with the assists on the goal going to Utah Mammoth 4th overall pick in 2025 Caleb Desnoyers and London Knight Sam O’Reilly.–Kashawn Aitcheson made it 8-1 with a bullet drive off the crossbar and in at 14:16
Porter Martone makes it 9-1 seconds later at 14:40 of the third period with the assists on the goal going to Michael Misa and Tij Iginla–Martone added his second just 24 seconds later.
Shots on goal in the third period were 18-7 for Canada. Canada outshot the Danes 49-13 in the game.
Owen Sound Attack’s Carter George made 12 saves on the 13 shots for the win for Canada. For the Danes Patrick Tiedjen stopped 40 of the 49 shots that he faced.
Attendance in Minneapolis, Minnesota was 4401
Canada’s next game is Wednesday December 31st against Finland
