OTTAWA – They don't always ask you how you won, just if you did. But when you're Canada at the World Juniors, especially after losing to Latvia for the first time in World Juniors history, the questions are coming. Canada didn’t really reassure its fans very much in a 3-0 win over Germany Sunday that saw the scoreline read 1-0 with five minutes remaining in regulation. 

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Sure, it was a win, but considering Canada has all of these questions about their offense and has now scored five total goals in back-to-back games against the two weakest teams in the group, it’s troubling.

Historically, Canada blows out Germany. The all-time series shows Canada has averaged more than six goals per game, winning all 17 prior meetings. Yet they managed just three and the two that they scored in the third period were not exactly awe-inspiring.

The second goal came off of a lucky bounce when a loose puck banked off the boards, off the goaltender and in. The last goal was an empty-netter. It’s not the kind of win you leave feeling super great about yourself.

CADEN PRICE GETS A LUCKY BOUNCE TO GO HIS WAY 🚨

Canada leads 2-0.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/FHGJb5xuqx

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2024

Germany actually held its own on the shot counter through two periods, too, trailing just 19-18 after two, but Canada really owned the puck in the third period. Perhaps that’s the silver lining, that they bore down and dominated more when the game was still in doubt.

More good news is that Carter George has not yet conceded a goal in 120 minutes of action between the pipes and Canada still hasn't allowed any goals at even strength. The questions were not going to be about him coming out of this one anyway. He continues to make it look easy back there, but the 11 first-round draft picks on Canada’s roster are still trying to figure out where the net is.

Germany has one draft pick at all and he’s a seventh rounder. Latvia had two picks on their roster. Even if you love the way Canada has defended, they still haven't played any of the most gifted offensive teams to really know how good that defensive system is.

There is a different kind of standard and expectation level for Canada at this tournament and this team has yet to meet it. The games all get tougher from here, too.

The Canadians still have a chance to finish first in Group A, which is kind of incredible all things considered. With two regulation wins and a shootout loss, they are tied with USA for first in the group heading into the New Year’s Eve showdown between the North American rivals.

It’s pretty wide open right now. Canada faces the chance to be anywhere from first place to third place in the group, which means they could have a tougher game in the quarterfinal depending on how New Year’s Eve goes.

What Is Going On With Canada's Offense?

It’s becoming harder to figure out just what ails this team.

They haven’t been skilled enough to beat teams with skill or powerful enough to beat teams with power or even fast enough to beat teams with speed. They haven’t been overly physical and not particularly undisciplined, save for some poorly-timed moments against Latvia. This is one of the best teams in this tournament on paper. They have all the talent you could ask for and yet they’re still not finding the net with any regularity. 

Canada’s coaching staff made adjustments to their lineup and shuffled things against Germany, but they have not found a mix that is playing with any sort of consistency or identity. 

They got the power play back on track by getting players in the positions they’re used to including Oliver Bonk (PHI) going back to the bumper as he plays it with the London Knights. He scored the first goal and it looked like things were going to go well.

OLIVER BONK STRIKES ON THE POWER-PLAY!

1-0 Canada.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/L3Vix6ugAB

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2024

This game was 1-0 with under five minutes to play in regulation before that lucky bounce created the breathing room. The only even-strength goal that was scored came on the bank shot.

Germany had some great looks in the game, but missed the net on some of their most golden opportunities. Better teams like the United States -- and if Canada has to run into Finland again -- or a few of the other teams on the other side of the bracket are going to finish those chances.

The World Juniors can be a pressure cooker, but you figured that Canada would come out of the loss to Latvia with something to prove. I’m not sure they proved anything beyond that we still haven’t seen this team play its best game. Maybe that’s some solace, but I’m still stunned at the results we’ve been seeing given how good this team can and should be.

Canada may come out and blow the barn doors off of Team USA and everyone stands down, but until we see it, the questions remain and they are warranted.

Team Canada World Junior Championship Schedule

Thurs., Dec. 26

• Canada 4, Finland 0

Fri., Dec. 27

• Canada 2, Latvia 3 (Shootout)

Sun., Dec. 29

• Canada 3, Germany 0

Tues., Dec. 31

• Canada vs. USA, 8:00 p.m. ET

Thurs., Jan. 2

• Quarterfinal & Relegation Games, Times TBD

Sat., Jan. 4

• Semifinal Games, Times TBD

Sun., Jan. 5

• Bronze Medal Game, Time TBD
• Gold Medal Game, Time TBD

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