Mathis Rousseau was passed over twice in the draft. Owen Allard didn’t hear his name called last June. Macklin Celebrini is the favorite to be chosen first overall in the next NHL draft.
Three players with very different career paths played major roles in a victory for Canada in its first outing at the world junior championship on Tuesday.
Rousseau made 24 saves, including a glove steal in the first period, while Allard and Celebrini scored to help Canada beat Finland 5-2.
“Unbelievable,” Rousseau said after the game. “I grew up watching the World Juniors and it’s a huge tournament. Now I’m here. I made a great save for the team and then we won. […] It makes it even more special.”
Nate Danielson had a goal and an assist, while Matthew Poitras and Maveric Lamoureux added empty-net goals. Lamoureux also had an assist for a two-point performance.
“It’s an unreal experience,” Allard said. “I’ve never played in front of so many Canadian fans, who make it very special.”
Aleksanteri Kaskimaki and Jere Lassila responded for Finland. Niklas Kokko stopped 26 shots.
Canada, the two-time defending champion of the event, is aiming for a third straight championship for the first time since 2009. It has just one returning player after taking part in last winter’s conquest in Halifax .
The United States and Sweden are the favorites this year, ahead of Canada, according to many observers. The main reason is the absence of several important elements in the Canadian camp.
Canada is without five players playing professionally, including sensation Connor Bedard, who rewrote the record books last year. Meanwhile, defenceman Tristan Luneau, who played six games with the Anaheim Ducks this fall, was selected before being hospitalized with a virus.
“I felt a little nervous, but that’s normal,” said Canada head coach Alan Letang. “The guys were quiet before the game.”
Danielson opened the scoring with 3:36 left in the first period. Lamoureux’s shot deflected off Danielson’s pants before slipping between Kokko’s pads.
The Finnish goalkeeper had held the fort until then, making several difficult saves including two against Matthew Savoie and Poitras.
At the other end of the ice, Rousseau stole a goal from Lenni Hämeenaho with his glove during a two-man attack on him, seconds before Danielson’s goal.
“You could see the game coming together,” Rousseau said. “I was happy.”
Jordan Dumais hit the post early in the second period, which would have allowed Canada to extend the lead to 2-0.
It was only a postponement, as Allard doubled Canada’s lead with 6:19 left. He took a pass from Danielson, then his shot hit the post before bouncing off the back of Kokko’s left skate and into the net.
Finland finally beat Rousseau on a power play 2:15 later. Kaskimaki deflected a point shot into the top of the net.
Celebrini, the favourite to be selected first overall in the upcoming NHL draft, restored Canada’s two-goal lead at 6:38 of the final period. The goal required a lengthy video review to confirm the puck had actually crossed the line.
“I trust our video guys,” Letang said. “When they call us, they’re usually right.”
Poitras scored into an empty net with 2:26 left, then Lassila scored a consolation goal for Finland with 64 seconds left in the game.
Lamoureux added another empty-net goal late in the game.
Canada is in Group A with Finland, Sweden, Latvia and Germany. Group B consists of the United States, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland and Norway.
