McKenna hat trick helps Canada complete demolition of Denmark at men's world junior hockey championship

Gavin McKenna scored a hat trick as Canada finally flexed its muscles at the world junior championship in a 9-1 victory over Denmark on Monday night.

Porter Marton added two goals and an assist for the Canadians, while Zayne Parekh, Michael Misa and Kashawn Aitcheson each scored and set up another. Braeden Cootes rounded out the offence.

Carter George had to make just 12 saves. Brady Martin had three assists, while Michael Hage and Caleb Desnoyers chipped in two apiece.

Frederick Amondsen replied for Denmark, which is taking part in the men's under-20 showcase for the first time since the 2019 event. The under-siege Patrick Tiedjin finished with 41 stops.

Canada, which is looking to get back atop the podium after consecutive quarterfinal exits, improved to 7-0 all-time against Denmark with a combined score of 59-5.

The Canadians, who thumped the same opponent 13-2 in exhibition play last week, now turn their attention to a New Year's Eve clash with Finland for first in Group B ahead of the medal round.

Coming off a back-and-forth 7-5 victory against Czechia and a nervy 2-1 overtime triumph versus Latvia where Canada never got in gear against a determined underdog, the hockey powerhouse tilted the ice early — and never really let up.

McKenna, one of the top prospects for the 2026 NHL draft, scored on a power play at 3:17 of the first period before Cootes, a Vancouver Canucks prospect, ripped a shot upstairs at 8:36 at 3M Arena on the University of Minnesota campus.

Parekh, who has played 11 games for the Calgary Flames this season, made it 3-0 at 10:03 off the rush with Denmark forward Tristan Petersen struggling to get back to his team's bench minus a skate blade at the other end of the rink.

Aitcheson then delivered a