After two relatively easy tests, Team Canada Junior had to fight from start to finish to clinch a 5-3 win over Finland on Friday in their last warm-up match before Worlds.
The Canadiens, who beat Switzerland 6-0 on Monday and then the Slovakians 6-1 on Wednesday, needed a powerful goal from Conor Bedard at 14:21 into the third period to finally take the lead. It was Bédard’s second goal with a man-of-the-match advantage.
Shane Wright
Photo: Getty Images/Tom Pennington
Logan Stankoven scored the insurance goal into an empty net with 14 seconds left. Brennan Osman and Brandt Clark also hit the Canada mark.
The Finns responded from the sticks of Niko Houtanen, Phil Koivunen and Joachim Kimmel.
Finland, who lost 5-2 to the United States on Monday, gave Canada a 45-22 advantage in shooting.
Canada begins its world title defense on December 26 against the Czech Republic in Halifax. Finland, who lost 3-2 in overtime to Canada in last summer’s tournament final, will face Switzerland first in a match in Moncton.
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