Price scores, Catton assists as Canada bounces back with shutout win over Germany at 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship

Ottawa, Ont.- Canada is back in the win column- and the top WHL performers have a lot in common.

Seattle Kraken prospects Berkly Catton (Spokane Chiefs) and Caden Price (Kelowna Rockets), who both happen to hail from Saskatoon, Sask., netted their first-ever IIHF World Junior Championship points as Canada bounced back with a 3-0 shutout win over Germany on Sunday night.

Canada outshot Germany 36-25 in the win.

While Canada’s run at the tournament hasn’t necessarily been an offensive tour de force, they’ve been solid on defence with two shutouts in three games and no even-strength goals allowed.

The match also saw Vancouver Canucks prospect Sawyer Mynio (Seattle Thunderbirds / Kamloops, B.C.) slot in for his first tournament action on a pairing with Price, earning a +1 rating in 11:56 of ice time.

Canada nearly got on the board less than three minutes in after Catton forced a turnover in the German zone to send Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat Tigers / Whitehorse, Yukon) in alone on the net. The reigning WHL Rookie of the Year made a neat move to shoot backwards between his legs but was turned aside by netminder Nico Pertuch.

Gavin McKenna almost just scored a highlight reel goal 👀#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/AiQBC7rlXn

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2024

The hosts would break through on the powerplay midway through the period- with the Chiefs Captain again playing a key role.

Catton picked up a secondary assist as he wheeled around the offensive zone and dished down low to Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan (London Knights / Mount Brydges, Ont.), who centered to Philadelphia Flyers pick Oliver Bonk (London Knights / Ottawa, Ont.) for a powerful one-timer.

BUMPER BONK 🚨💣@NHLFlyers prospect and @LondonKnights defenceman Oliver Bonk unleashes a one timer on the powerplay against the Germans and puts @HockeyCanada up 1-0!#OHL | #WorldJuniors | @CHLHockey pic.twitter.com/2wMWUsfqET

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) December 30, 2024

Canada carried the narrow lead into the third period.

Catton nearly found twine himself with a sharp wrister early in the second, but rang the shot off the iron. Nashville Predators prospect Tanner Molendyk (Saskatoon Blades / McBride / B.C.) had similar luck as he ripped another opportunity off the crossbar.

However, another WHLer would come through with the late insurance marker.

Rockets alternate captain Price walked the blue line and hammered a shot down low. The puck bounced off the back boards and off the skate of the sprawling German netminder and into the net.

They don’t ask how, they ask how many.

They don’t ask how! 😅@Kelowna_Rockets defenceman Caden Price adds to @HockeyCanada's lead late.@SeattleKraken | #SeaKraken | #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/ScrBkCugRu

— The WHL (@TheWHL) December 30, 2024

Vegas Golden Knights prospect Mathieu Cataford (Rimouski Oceanic / Saint-Constant, Que.) put a bow on the win with an empty net goal, while Los Angeles Kings pick Carter George (Owen Sound Attack / Thunder Bay, Ont) picked up Player of the Game honours with a

George is also the first Canadian goaltender with shutouts in both of his first two World Juniors starts since QMJHL alumnus Jake Allen in 2010, according to Sportsnet.

Saskatoon Blades forward David Lewandowski picked up two shots on net in the loss for Germany.

Canada (2-0-1) will face its biggest test of the tournament in the annual New Year’s Eve match against the United States (2-1-0) with first place in Group A on the line.

Seattle Kraken prospect Julius Miettinen (Everett Silvertips) scored his first goal of the tournament in a dramatic 4-3 overtime win against the United States earlier today to deal the defending champions their first loss of round-robin action.

Notes: Calgary Flames prospect Axel Hurtig (Calgary Hitmen) helped Sweden become the first team to reach three wins at the tournament in a 7-5 win over Switzerland on Sunday. Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Leo Braillard scored twice for the Swiss to bring his total to three in his second run at the World Juniors. Jakub Stancl’s three-goal, two-assist win in Czechia’s 14-2 drubbing of Kazakhstan on December 28 has the Kelowna Rockets forward tied for the most points among all skaters so far. Former Swift Current Broncos defenceman Jakub Dvorak, an LA Kings prospect, netted the game-winner while Edmonton Oil Kings teammates Vojtech Port (Anaheim Ducks) and Adam Jecho (St. Louis Blues) combined for a goal and three assists. Kamloops Blazers import Miroslav Holinka earned a primary assist on Czechia’s game-winning goal in a 4-3 win over Slovakia on Sunday night.