McDavid, Lazar score as Canada downs tenacious Germany 4-0 at world juniors

MONTREAL - Connor McDavid scored a goal and set up two more as Canada posted its second win in as many nights with a 4-0 victory over Germany on Saturday at the world junior championship.

Max Domi, Curtis Lazar and Madison Bowey also scored, while centre Nic Petan picked up three assists to take over the tournament scoring lead with six points. Canada went 3 for 4 on the power play.

McDavid and Lazar got their first points of the tournament against a German squad that kept the score close with tight checking and hard work. The Germans held Canada without a shot over 12 minutes while outshooting them 10-6 in the second frame.

Eric Comrie made 17 saves, while Canada had 31 shots on Kevin Reich. Canada has yet to concede a goal as Zach Fucale shut out Slovakia 8-0 on Friday night.

The Germans were a tougher opponent than the Slovaks, who seemed to roll over as soon as they fell behind. After some earlier Canadian dominance, Germany backchecked hard, clogged the middle the ice and forced the home side to work for their chances.

Some wondered if McDavid, who returned recently from a Nov. 11 hand injury, was off his game but he answered that on a power play 4:11 into the game.

The Erie Otters centre had a pass across the crease blocked, but picked up the loose puck and stuffed it past Reich.

On another man advantage at 12:42, McDavid set up Lazar alone in front to score on a one-timer.

A few seconds after Reich had a spectacular glove save on a Jake Virtanen shot from the slot, Domi fed Sam Reinhart and then found an open spot on the doorstep to slip in the return pass 9:14 into the third period.

Bowey scored from the left side on a man advantage at 15:44.

Germany's best chance came on a second period power play when Marc Michaelis took advantage of a line change to take a pass at the Canadian blue-line and go in alone, but failed to find an opening between Comrie's pads.

Notes — Canada is 13-0 against Germany at the world juniors, including a 7-2 win at last year's event in Malmo, Sweden. Canada is 189-54-24 all-time at the tournament. . . Canada's next game is Monday against Finland, which was upset 2-1 by Slovakia earlier Saturday. . . There were plenty of empty seats for a second straight Canada game as fans balk at steep ticket prices.