Canada beats Finland in exhibition tilt

NEWS RELEASE

HOCKEY CANADA

***************************

Canada 5 - Finland 2 Helsinki, Finland – Steve Downie and Karl Alzner registered three points apiece, while Brad Marchand added two points as Canada defeated Finland 5-2 in World Junior Championship exhibition action on Wednesday in Helsinki.

While most of the Finland players have more experience playing together, it was the Canadian side that showed good chemistry early on. Bryan Little (Cambridge, ON/ Barrie, OHL) was sent in alone by Tom Pyatt (Thunder Bay, ON/ Saginaw, OHL) but was thwarted by NHL 1st round pick Tuuka Rask. Less than two minutes later, Marc-André Cliche (Rouyn-Noranda, QC/ Lewiston, QMJHL) had another point blank chance, only to see Rask stick out his left pad and keep the game scoreless. Little had a second breakaway at the eight minute mark, but Rask was up to the task once again.

Rask’s luck ran out midway through the opening period. With Timo Seppanen in the penalty box, a point shot by Karl Alzner (Burnaby, BC/ Calgary, WHL) slipped through the Finnish goaltender’s pads to give Canada a 1-0 lead at 10:17.

Finland ran into more penalty trouble towards the end of the first period, and Canada’s man advantage came through. Steve Downie (Queensville, ON/ Peterborough, OHL) slid a pass to a wide open Brad Marchand (Hammonds Plain, NS/ Val d’Or, QMJHL) who made it 2-0 at 15:58. Canada maintained its two goal lead through the end of the first period.

Canada’s performance wasn’t as sparkling in the middle frame and while in some penalty trouble late in the frame, Canada gave up a power play goal on a two-man disadvantage. Teemu Laakso’s point shot eluded Carey Price (Anahim Lake, BC/ Tri-City, WHL).

Finland started the third on a power play, and got a great chance as Jonas Enlund was sent in alone on Price, but the B.C. native was up to the task, shooting out his right pad to make the save. He was rewarded moments later. With the same Enlund in the penalty box, Steve Downie registered Canada’s third power play goal at 1:36 and Canada had a 3-1 lead. Alzner registered an assist on Downie, giving the 18 year old defenceman three points on Canada’s three goals.

Andrew Cogliano (Woodbridge, ON/ Michigan, CCHA) added some insurance, beating Rask high on the glove side with a quick wrist shot at 8:20 of the final period. Jonathan Toews (Winnipeg, MB/ North Dakota, WCHA) for Canada and Vili Sopanen for Finland closed out the scoring, as Canada claimed a 5-2 victory.

Wednesday’s game marked a particularly special evening for Canadian players Cody Franson (Sicamous, BC/ Vancouver, WHL), Darren Helm (St. Andrews, MB/ Medicine Hat, WHL) and Kenndal McArdle (Burnaby, BC/ Vancouver, WHL). All three wore the Team Canada jersey for the first time in Helsinki against Finland.

Canada’s final pre-World Championship game is on Friday, December 22nd in Stockholm against Sweden, who happens to be Canada’s first opponent at the World Junior on December 26th. The game will not be broadcast on television or radio, but the game summary will be updated live online at www.hockeycanada.ca. ************************************************************