"Early on I thought we had enough chances," he said.
"We played all right in the first quarter then we went away from everything we were trying to achieve. We said don't turn it into a game of two ends but we did.
"Give credit to Canada, they put on some pressure and we had to make some good saves. I don't think we started playing again until the last couple of minutes which is leaving it too late.
"I don't know why we stopped [spreading the ball about] - whether it was the frustration of not scoring goals or whatever. Good lessons.
"We had to play away from their strengths and I don't think we did that today."
New Zealand dominated early and almost gained a lead in the opening exchanges as Anita McLaren hooked a penalty corner just wide of the goal.
Canada goalkeeper Kaitlyn Williams was a resolute force in the face of continuous pressure from New Zealand but at no point did she look flustered, even in the final quarter when the Kiwis threw everything they had at their opponents.
New Zealand had a final chance to go ahead with a penalty corner with 0.5 seconds left on the clock but Canada's defence held on one final time to secure the draw.
All eyes now turn to today'spool match against Australia as both sides look to confirm their spots in the playoff stages.
The nil-all draw was in stark contrast to the New Zealanders' 12-0 rout of Ghana as 18-year-old Doar completed her first hattrick in internationals.
Doar scored in the opening quarter before chiming in with a pair in the final 15 minutes in an impressive performance.
Michelsen managed to pick up a goal in her 250th match for New Zealand as they cruised to the comfortable win.
