Tyler McGregor scored four goals and Dominic Cozzolino of Mississauga, Ont., had two goals and three assists as Canada’s National Para hockey team opened defence of its gold medal with an 11-0 win over Germany at the World Para Hockey Championship on Saturday at the LECOM Harbor Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
McGregor, who hails from Forest, Ont. (near London), became just the third player in National Para hockey team history to reach 150 career goals.
James Dunn added a goal and four assists for Canada, while Adam Dixon, Micah Kovacevich, Rob Armstrong and Anton Jacobs Webb added singles.
Dixon, who added an assist in his 252nd career game, passed Billy Bridges for the most games played with Canada’s National Para hockey team. He was presented with a silver stick after his record-breaking feat.
Netminder Corbin Watson only had to make three saves to register the shutout. Canada outshot Germany 32-3.
“Germany played hard and structured, and it forced us to pull our identity out and stick to it. I think our depth ultimately started to overtake their efforts as the game went on. We got contributions all through the lineup, and I think that is a great way to start the tournament,” said Canadian head coach Russ Herrington.
Canada will play South Korea on Sunday.
WATCH l Canada beats U.S. to capture 2024 world title in Calgary:
Canada defeats the United States 2-1 at the world para ice hockey championship in Calgary. The Canadians claim their first world title since 2017 and their first on home ice.
Sixteen Canadians are on the roster that beat the Americans 2-1 for the gold medal last year in Calgary, their first title on home ice and first after falling to the U.S. in three straight finals.
“Entering the world championship as the defending champions is not something we take lightly,” said head coach Russ Herrington.
“We know that every country will bring their best against us. As a group, we have continued to grow and develop over the last year.
“This roster has a ton of experience on the big stage, and we are excited to get going.”
Canada lost 4-1 to the U.S. in the final of the Para Cup in Charlottetown on Dec. 14, and 5-3 to the Americans in the final of the International Para Hockey Cup in Ostrava, Czech Republic on Oct. 13.
The U.S. also beat Canada in the final for Paralympic gold in both 2018 and 2022. Their rivalry is expected to continue into the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina, Italy.
China and South Korea are also in Canada’s world championship group in Buffalo, while Group B features the U.S., the Czech Republic, Norway and Slovakia.
Canada takes on South Korea on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET and China on Tuesday. Wednesday’s quarterfinals will be followed by the semifinals Friday and Saturday’s medal games.