WATCH: Team Canada beats Finland 4-1 in Montreal Monday. Billy Shields reports.
MONTREAL — On Monday night at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada is set to take on Finland in a World Junior Hockey Championship preliminary game.
FULL COVERAGE: 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship – Team Canada schedule and results
Here are five things to watch during the game:
1. Revenge factor
Finland beat Canada 5-1 in the semifinals last year in Malmo, Sweden, to extend Canada’s gold medal drought to five years. The Finns went on to win for the first time since 1998.
2. Patience
Finland plays a tight checking game and thrives on turnovers. Canada will try to use its speed and depth up front to keep pressure on the Finns, who will likely keep it a low-scoring game.
3. Special teams
Canada killed off all nine penalties it took in the opening two games, while Finland has looked awful with the man advantage. Finland has yet to convert one of its 10 power-play opportunities despite having a skilled point man in Julius Honka.
4. Teen star
One of Finland’s most dangerous forwards is 16-year-old Jesse Puljujarvi. He’s six foot three, fast and skilled and won’t be eligible for the NHL draft until 2016.
5. Petan on a roll
Winnipeg Jets prospect Nic Petan had three points in each of Canada’s first two games.
Comments