Canada defeated Finland 5-2 on Boxing Day at the 2024 World Juniors, getting their quest for a third straight gold medal off to a good start.
Nate Danielson, a promising player for the Detroit Red Wings, fired back his first goal of the tournament and livened up the party in Sweden while representing Canada.
Matisse Rousseau held firm on the other side of the Canadian ice, reaching out for a spectacular acrobatic save moments earlier.
Rousseau went on to stop 23 shots in the win.
Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Jordan Dumais had a chance to extend Canada’s lead in the second, hitting the puck off the iron on a breakaway that beat everyone but the goal post.
Owen Allard had a chance when the Soo Greyhounds collected a pass in front of the net from Danielson, who scored in the first period, and buried it to extend Canada’s lead to 2-0.
In the third period, Macklin Celebrini found the back of the net for Canada’s third goal of the game.
Boston Bruins forward Matt Poitras and Arizona Coyotes prospect Maverick Lamoureux added empty-net insurance markers late in Canada’s three-point period.
For Finland, Aleksanteri Kaskimäki and Jere Lasila scored.
Canada will be back in action on Wednesday against Latvia at 1:30pm ET/8:30am PT, live on TSN1/3/4, TSN.ca and the TSN app.