Canada wins another close one
by Andrew Podnieks|15 MAY 2018
Canada’s Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (#93) celebrates a goal against Germany with teammates Connor McDavid (#97) and Brayden Schenn (#10).
photo: Matt Zambonin / HHOF-IIHF Images
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For the second time in 24 hours, Canada fought defence to produce victory, this time to the tune of 3-0 against a strong-willed German team.
 
The loss leaves Germany in sixth place and ensures Canada will finish third in Group B. That means a date with the loser of tonight’s Sweden-Russia game in Copenhagen.

Darcy Kuemper got the shutout for Canada by stopping a mere 12 shots, but he now looks to be the goalie for Canada the rest of the way.

"It was a quick turnaround after playing last night, but I thought we did a good job," Kuemper said. "Everyone took care of their bodies and that helped make this game easier. We were super responsible and that’s what you want to build on heading into the quarter-finals."

"We didn’t have enough energy to generate more shots and score goals today," offered Germany's Dennis Seidenberg. "Canada was very much into it today and deserved to win. In this tournament the effort was there but the consistency wasn’t. We made too many mistakes, especially in the first two games. We could have gotten a couple more points. For the most part we got better each game, except the last one. There is definitely room for improvement."
Canada vs. Germany
It only took 20 seconds for Canada to get on the scoresheet and that was enough to send Germany packing.
15 MAY 2018
Ironically, Canada got its first goal just 20 seconds after the opening faceoff, but chances were hard to come by thereafter. On the goal, it was captain Connor McDavid making a lightning quick steal of the puck from his “C” counterpart, Dennis Seidenberg.
 
The puck went to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins who found Brayden Schenn in the high slot, and he made no mistake with his shot.
 
Although shots favoured Canada 11-3 in the period, Niklas Treutle didn’t have to many difficult saves to make as his defence played with determination in front of him.
 
It wasn’t until midway through the second period that Canada scored again—but it was an historic goal, to be sure. Again McDavid started the play with a rush, his speed backing up the German players.
 
He dropped the puck to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins who beat Treutle between the pads. The play started with a simple pass by Aaron Ekblad to McDavid, meaning that three first overall draft choices were in on the goal. That is a rare occurrence in World Championship history.

The last time it happened was in 2005 when Canada had Joe Thornton, Rick Nash, and Ed Jovanovski combine for goals on three occasions (Chris Philips, a fourth 1st overall pick, wasn't involved in any of these).
 
Canada added a third at 9:48 of the third off a faceoff win deep in its end. Defenceman Joel Edmundson got the puck and dashed the length of the ice before spotting Tyson Jose moving into the slot. Edmundson found him with a pass, and it was in the net before Treutle knew what had happened.
Canada vs. Germany