Canada’s quest for a record 19th title at the World Junior Hockey Championship began as it usually does — on Boxing day. Taking on Czechia as heavy favourites not only for the game itself, but to win the entire tournament, they needed to get off on the right foot with a big win. The Czechs, for their part, were looking to throw an early dose of adversity to their confident hosts.
Mason McTavish kicked things off with an absolutely gorgeous goal less than five minutes into the game. Skating essentially a full circle around the offensive zone with possession, he came to his off side and fired a precise shot just inside the far post to make it 1-0 for the home team.