2019-20 National Junior Team

CANADA DOWNS FINNS IN PRE-WJC FINALE

JASON LA ROSE

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic – Nolan Foote (Kelowna, B.C./Kelowna, WHL) scored twice and added an assist, Ty Dellandrea (Port Perry, Ont./Flint, OHL) got the winner with 7:43 left and Canada’s National Junior Team finished its pre-tournament schedule ahead of the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship by doubling up Finland 4-2 on Monday.

The Canadians gave back a two-goal lead in the third period before Dellandrea and Kevin Bahl (Mississauga, Ont./Ottawa, OHL) counted in the final eight minutes to cap off an unbeaten exhibition slate; they blanked Switzerland 3-0 on Thursday.

Less than five minutes after Patrik Puistola had brought the Finns even, Dellandrea threw a harmless-looking shot towards the net from a sharp angle that beat goaltender Kari Piiroinen over the glove.

Bahl added insurance with 6:07 left, jumping in off the blue-line and finishing a feed from Foote.

After a scoreless first period, the second belonged to Foote, who found the back of the net twice in four minutes.

His first came 7:02 into the middle frame; he walked into the high slot before lasering a wrist shot upstairs on Justus Annunen, who got the start in the Finnish goal.

He added another at the 11-minute mark after gathering in a bouncing puck in the slot and slipping a shot through Annunen.

The Finns finally solved Joel Hofer (Winnipeg, Man./Portland, WHL) two minutes into the third period when a centring pass from Joonas Oden hit a Canadian skate and eluded Hofer, and Puistola roofed a rebound at 7:50.

Hofer split time with Nico Daws (Burlington, Ont./Guelph OHL), who was perfect in his 31 minutes of work.

Canada is back on the ice Thursday for its tournament opener against the United States (1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT).

The IIHF World Junior Championship returns to Canadian ice next year when Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta., host the 2021 World Juniors. Fans have until Jan. 5 to sign up for the Priority Draw for their chance to purchase tickets in both cities. Visit HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets for more information.