December 26, 2012

Canada's goalie Malcolm Subban stands in front of the net against Germany in the second period of their preliminary round game during the 2013 IIHF U20 World Junior Hockey Championship in Ufa December 26, 2012. (REUTERS/Mark Blinch)

There could be only two reasons the citizens of this great country were waking up at 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning - indigestion caused by too much turkey and red wine at the Christmas dinner table, or to finally watch a hockey game that mattered.

“This is maybe the most needed world junior championship ever,” TSN host James Duthie said before the opening faceoff, making reference to the NHL lockout. “Canada is starving for puck.”

The national junior team ultimately served up victory over the Germans in the tournament opener, but the 9-3 final should not make anyone in these parts feel too comfortable.