In a less-than-impressive fashion, Canada secured a 6-3 victory over Germany to conclude the preliminary round at the world junior hockey championship in Gothenburg, Sweden on Sunday. Jordan Dumais notched the decisive goal on a power play in the third period, while Macklin Celebrini contributed with two goals of his own.
2022 Arizona Coyotes second rounder and Green Bay Gambler Julian Lutz opened up the scoring for Germany at 2:30 of the first period while on the Power Play. The assist on the goal went to Manheim Germany native Phillip Sinn.– Julian Lutz puts Germany in the lead with an early goal, firing a shot from the top of the circle through traffic and expertly placing it inside the post. Germany takes a 1-0 lead just 2 minutes and 57 seconds into the game.
Macklin Celebrini tied it up for Canada at 6:20 of the opening period with the assists going to Ty Nelson and Oliver Bonk.-Displaying his trademark skills, Macklin Celebrini showcases his speed and finesse to enter the offensive zone, unleashing a powerful wrist shot that beats Matthias Bittner at the 6:20 mark of the first period, leveling the game. Despite being sidelined during the major penalty, the top 2024 prospect swiftly makes an impact, swiftly putting Canada on the scoreboard during his first shift.
Brayden Yager made it 2-1 for Canada while on the Power Play at 14:37 of the first with the assist going to Brandon Wheat King captain Nate Danielson.-Seizing their initial lead in the game, Canada capitalizes on a power play opportunity, courtesy of Brayden Yager. Taking advantage of a missed high stick call on Fraser Minten at one end, and with a German player down, Yager receives a smooth pass from Nate Danielson and effortlessly places the puck into the open net. The questionable call turns out to be a significant oversight, enabling the Canadians to take a 2-1 lead with 5 minutes and 37 seconds remaining in the period.
Shots in the first were 13-3 for Canada.
Roman Kechter made it a 2-2 game for Germany on the Power Play at 1:49 of the second period with the assists on the goal to Kazakhstan born Jakob Weber and Julian Lutz.– In a swift 23 seconds on the power play, Germany swiftly scores as Kechter fires a shot into the far side of the net, beating Rousseau. The goal closely resembles Lutz’s earlier one, just on the opposite side of the Canadian goaltender. The game is once again level, with the score tied at 1-1, just 1 minute and 29 seconds into the second period.
Shots in second were 12-5 Canada
Montreal Canadiens prospect and returning player Owen Beck gives Canada the 3-2 lead at 1:40 of the third period with the assist to Carson Rehkopf.–Canada regains the lead with a play orchestrated by Rehkopf, who locates Owen Beck on the rush for an uncontested tap-in goal. Rehkopf skillfully lures Bittner out of the net by feinting a move behind it, only to swiftly slide the puck to Beck, who is presented with a wide-open net. Just 1 minute and 40 seconds into the third period, Canada is once again in the lead.
Julius Sumpf ties it up at 3-3 at 7:32 of the third period with the assists to Ralf Rollinger and Jakob Weber. Ralf Rollinger has to be one of the coolest hockey names I have heard in a long time.– 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.
Jordan Dumais scores on the Power Play for Canada to take the 4-3 lead at 8:32 of the third frame. Assists on the goal went to Carson Rehkopf and Matt Poitras.-In a quick turn of events, Canada seizes the lead once more with a power play goal courtesy of Dumais, coming just a minute after the equalizing goal. Poitras starts the play by delivering a pass to Rehkopf in the slot, and although Bittner manages to block Rehkopf’s initial shot, Dumais capitalizes on the second opportunity without hesitation. With 11 minutes and 28 seconds left on the clock, Canada is back on top, leading by one.
Macklin Celebrini makes it 5-3 finding just a sliver of the net at 16:02 of the final frame. With the assists on the goal going to Brayden Yager and the son of former Ottawa Senator great Radek Bonk, Oliver Bonk. Brayden Yager is not the son of Jaromir as I assume every single person on the planet knows.– With just 3 minutes and 58 seconds left on the clock, Celebrini extends Canada’s lead to two. Bittner ventures out in an attempt to beat Celebrini to a loose puck, but the Canadian forward skillfully pokes the puck around the German goalie, depositing it into the open net. This goal should offer some welcomed breathing space for the reigning World Juniors champions.
The game became 6-3 on an empty net goal by Easton Cowan getting his first of the tournament from Owen Allard and Denton Mateychuk at 17:16 of the third.– 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.
Germany outshot Canada in the third period 12-10. Canada Outshot Germany 35-20 in the game.
Canada’s next game is against Czech Republic in the quarter final Tuesday January 2nd.
Jagger Firkus made flight over and is on stand by
