2004 IIHF World Junior Championship

Canada 3 Finland 0

Round Robin
December 26, 2003
Helsinki , FIN

Team Canada : Great to the Finnish!

Canada and Finland both are hockey-mad countries and it was all the clearer with a sold-out and boisterous Helsinki Jaahalla for both team’s opening games at the 2004 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.

The first period was a furious affair with chances resulting from a high tempo pace from both sides. Canada had luck on it’s side on the first great chance, as a shot by Lepisto eluded Marc-André Fleury but found the post.

Canada responded, as the line of Nigel Dawes, Michael Richards and Anthony Stewart gave the Finnish defence fits on the forecheck, leading to Dawes getting a pass through to a pinching Dion Phaneuf who beat Finnish goaltender Hannu Toivonen high to the blocker side at 15:52.

The second period continued at the same pace, with power plays giving both teams some great chances. Canada’s forechecking eventually caught up to the Finns, as the puck came loose and team captain Daniel Paillé slipped the puck under Toivonen at 12:10 to give Canada a 2-0 lead.

Anthony Stewart made it 3-0 at 4:27 of the final period, pushing a rebound past a bewildered Toivonen. Canada’s defence did the rest and can be credited with a large assist on Marc-André Fleury’s shutout, as Canada limited Finland to 14 shots on goal.

Canada faces Switzerland on Sunday, December 28th.