Canada Shuts Out Germany in World Juniors Preliminary Game
Ottawa, ON — Team Canada continued to assert its dominance at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, defeating Germany 3-0 in a decisive preliminary round matchup on December 29 at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Goaltender Carter George led Canada to victory, earning a shutout by saving all 25 shots faced. The Canadian offense was driven by Oliver Bonk, Caden Price, and Mathieu Cataford, each scoring critical goals to secure the win.
Bonk opened the scoring in the first period during a power play, capitalizing on an assist from Easton Cowan and Berkly Catton just 25 seconds after Germany’s Marco Münzenberger was penalized for holding.
With 25 saves for his second shutout of the tournament, your @GatoradeCanada Performer of the Game is Carter George! 🎉
Avec 25 arrêts et un deuxième jeu blanc, Carter George a offert la Performance du match Gatorade! 🎉#WorldJuniors | #MondialJunior pic.twitter.com/o8zKkRmBEd
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 30, 2024
The game remained tightly contested through the second period as both teams traded penalties but failed to convert additional opportunities. Canada extended its lead in the third period with a goal from Caden Price, assisted by Sawyer Mynio and Calum Ritchie, at 15:02. Mathieu Cataford sealed the win with an empty-netter in the game’s final seconds, with Carter George also recording an assist on the play.
Germany’s goaltender Nico Pertuch had a strong showing despite the loss, stopping 33 of 35 shots for a .943 save percentage.
Canada’s penalty kill was stellar, successfully neutralizing all four of Germany’s power-play opportunities. On the offensive side, Canada converted one of its five power-play chances.
With this win, Canada rebounded after a close loss to Latvia on December 27, improving their preliminary round record to 2-1. Germany, still searching for its first win, now holds an 0-3 record in the tournament.
Team Canada will next face USA as they look to continue building momentum toward the playoff round.
