Key Takeaways
- Canada defeated Denmark 9-1 in the World Junior Hockey Championship, with Gavin McKenna scoring a hat trick.
- The Canadian team played a strong game, outshooting Denmark 52-13 and dominating the ice for most of the contest.
- McKenna’s hat trick was highlighted by a jaw-dropping finish to complete his third goal, silencing critics who had questioned his play earlier in the season.
- Canada improved to 7-0 all-time against Denmark at the tournament, with a combined score of 59-5.
- The Canadians will face Finland on New Year’s Eve in a battle for first place in Group B.
Introduction to Canada’s Dominant Performance
After two games that raised more questions than answers, Canada finally looked like Canada on Monday night. And a Medicine Hat Tigers alum was right at the centre of it. Gavin McKenna scored three times — punctuated by a jaw-dropping finish to complete his hat trick — as Canada flexed its offensive muscle in a dominant 9-1 victory over Denmark at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Minnesota. This performance was a welcome sight after a back-and-forth 7-5 win over Czechia and a nervy overtime escape against Latvia to open the tournament.
Canada’s Strong Start
Canada tilted the ice early and never really let up, playing fast and moving the puck crisply to force Denmark to defend for long stretches. McKenna opened the scoring on the power play in the first period, finishing off a slick passing sequence that set the tone. Braeden Cootes followed shortly after, ripping a shot upstairs, and Zayne Parekh made it 3-0 with Denmark forward Tristan Petersen stranded at the far end of the rink without a skate blade. Canada finished the opening 20 minutes with a 15-1 edge in shots, while Kashawn Aitcheson delivered a thunderous hit along the boards that underscored the physical gap between the two teams.
Denmark’s Brief Moment of Hope
Denmark briefly found life early in the second when Frederik Amondsen capitalized on a turnover just 28 seconds in, but that moment didn’t last long. Canadian captain Porter Martone restored the three-goal cushion on the power play, and after Patrick Tiedjin robbed Tij Iginla with a highlight-reel glove save, McKenna struck again late in the period to make it 5-1. Despite this brief moment of hope, the Danish team was unable to sustain any momentum, and the Canadians continued to dominate the game.
McKenna’s Hat Trick and Canada’s Third-Period Surge
The third period belonged entirely to Canada — and to McKenna. Michael Misa scored early, and 64 seconds later McKenna delivered the play everyone will be talking about. Taking a pass off the rush, the Yukon product froze Tiedjin with a shot fake before calmly sliding the puck around the Danish goaltender to complete his hat trick. It was the kind of moment that silences critics, and McKenna’s teammates were quick to praise his performance. Canadian captain Porter Martone said, "He’s got all the skill," and teammate Braeden Cootes added, "He showed everyone the world-class talent. There’s noise and all that, but he’s a special guy."
Canada’s Team Effort and Upcoming Games
Aitcheson and Martone added late goals to round out the scoring, while Misa finished with a goal and two assists. Carter George had a quiet night, stopping 12 of 13 shots, and Brady Martin chipped in with three assists. The Canadian team played a strong defensive game, limiting Denmark to just one goal on the night. With the win, Canada improved to 7-0 all-time against Denmark at the tournament, with a combined score of 59-5. The Canadians will face Finland on New Year’s Eve in a battle for first place in Group B, and they will look to build on this dominant performance.
Coach Dale Hunter’s Assessment
Canadian head coach Dale Hunter liked more than just the scoreboard, saying, "We moved the puck around and scored some nice goals. But for a coach, it’s always the defensive side. We played well that way." Hunter’s assessment highlights the team’s strong defensive performance, which will be crucial in upcoming games against tougher opponents. The Canadians will face Finland on New Year’s Eve, and then they will likely face even tougher challenges in the knockout stages of the tournament. However, after Monday night’s dominant performance, Canada finally looks ready for the challenge.
