Canada edges Germany to conclude WJHC prelim round

Canada concluded its preliminary round at the 2024 world juniors with a 6-3 win over Germany on Sunday.

The defending champions surrendered multiple leads during the contest, but a power-play goal from Jordan Dumais in the third period proved to be the difference before Macklin Celebrini and Easton Cowan added late insurance markers.

Germany opened the scoring less than three minutes into the contest with a power-play goal from Julian Lutz.

Forward Conor Geekie was issued a five-minute major and game misconduct only 11 seconds after puck drop for an illegal check to the head to Samuel Schindler. Canada played the remainder of the game with 11 forwards.

Canada answered the early deficit with first-period goals from Celebrini and Brayden Yager. Germany's Roman Ketcher scored the only marker of the middle frame, and the two sides traded goals in the first eight minutes of the third for a 3-3 scoreline.

Germany needed to reach overtime to avoid the relegation game, which it will play Thursday against Norway. Germany lost three consecutive games after opening its tournament with an upset win over Finland.

Canada locked up second spot in Group A with the victory. It will take on Czechia in its quarterfinal matchup on Tuesday in a rematch of the previous championship game.