Canada owns a 5-4 lead over Finland after two periods in their clash at the World Juniors that will decide the winner of Group B in the preliminary round.
Cole Beaudoin and Tij Iginla netted goals for Canada in the second frame, while Roope Vesterinen scored Finland’s lone goal in the period.
Carter George has stopped eight of 12 shots faced in the Canadian net, and Finland’s Petteri Rimpinen has 13 saves on 18 shots faced. Canada peppered the Finnish net in the second period, as shots favoured the Canadian side 15-3 in the frame.
In a period dominated by Canada, Beaudoin gave his side a much-needed cushion late in the frame. He capped off a nice passing sequence by beating the goaltender to give Canada a 5-3 lead.
That lead would not last long though, as a Karter Verhoeff turnover moments later would result in a goal for Vesterinen, as Finland once again found a quick answer for a Canadian goal to cut the deficit to 5-4.
The second period was a lot chippier than the first; after a few post-whistle scrums formed, the referees warned both sides that penalties would be called.
At 10:59, Caleb Desnoyers for Canada and Matias Vanhanen for Finland were sent off for roughing after another battle after the whistle.
Canada picked up the first power play of the second period when Max Westergard was called for high-sticking off a face-off. Finland survived the power play, but after taking another penalty moments later, they could not kill the second.
With play settled in Canada’s zone and Finland making a shift change, Zayne Parekh launched a beautiful pass to an unmarked Iginla, who used a nifty shot to beat Rimpinen on the breakaway and give Canada the 4-3 lead midway through the second period.
The first period was chaotic from start to finish, with a combined six goals on just 16 shots between the two sides.
Finland’s third goal came on a shot from distance by Boelius where George’s glove was whacked by a Finnish forward while attempting to make the save.
Canada called for a challenge, and the goal surprisingly stood, evening the score for a third time.
Canada’s red-hot power play struck quickly on the game’s first penalty, as Martin poked the puck into the back of the net just 13 seconds into the man advantage for his second goal of the contest which gave Canada a 3-2 lead.
The two sides traded quick goals to even the score at 2-2 not half way through the opening period.
Canada jumped on Finland early, with Parekh finding open space down the right side of the ice before ripping a wrist shot glove side by Rimpinen just 1:13 into the game to give Canada the early lead.
Not long after Canada scored on its first shot of the game, the Finnish side did the same when Matias Vanhanen found a streaking Miettinen attacking the Canadian net. The Finland captain went top shelf to fool Carter George and even the score at 1-1 in the opening minutes.
Canada entered this game riding a six-game winning streak against Finland at the World Juniors.