An early start today for the Four Nations tourney as we see the Fins and the Canadians kick things off in what looks to be an exciting matchup as a win in regulation time will send them to face Team USA in the Championship Game on Thursday (5pm PST). Canada is looking to bounce back after a regulation loss to USA and Finland is looking to keep on rolling after their overtime win against the Swedes. While Finland is the underdog in this matchup I still think they could find a way to come out on top but their stars need to get going. Only 1 point so far for the captain Aleksander Barkov, star forward Mikko Rantanen and top center Sebastian Aho. These guys need to get on the scoresheet if they have any hope today. Let’s jump in.

A solid start from both teams with scoring chances on both sides. I liked the way Finland was putting pucks towards the net, they missed multiple shots high but they didn’t miss by much and put pressure on Binnington. Unfortunately for the Fins, the better start would be for Canada. A bad clearing attempt from Finland’s Roope Hintz was caught by McDavid at the blue line and he goes right to work. He turns on the jets and drives down the slot before peeling out to the left side and using that speed to push the defenseman in towards the goalie. This created space to circle around and drive through the left circle, perfectly placing a bullet over the glove of a screened Lankinen at 4:13 of the first.

Canada just keep coming as we would see the next Canadian superstar and NHL points leading scorer Nathan Mackinnon rifle one past Lankinen just 46 seconds later at 4:59 of the first. Sam Reinhart won a puck battle along the boards and nicely outlets a pass past defenseman Esa Lundell to the streaking MacKinnon before he slams it home far side over the blocker. The 2-0 lead for Canada was a big hill to climb for Finland but they didn’t let up. I thought they still had some good chances but just weren’t getting any puck luck and Canada was doing a good job keeping things outside and less dangerous.

Just after 2 different errors from Canada in their own zone that Finland didn’t capitalize on, McDavid started the rush out into the neutral zone with his speed he was able to create space to pass it wide to Travis Sanheim for a nice shot on net that couldn’t be corralled by Lankinen. The rebound available in front, Brayden Point was at the right spot at the right time to put it in the net at 13:02 of the first for a commanding 3-0 lead for Canada. The scoreboard wasn’t exactly indicative of the play, as I thought Finland was the better team multiple different stretches in the first. The superstar skill and speed through multiple lines for Canada was just too clutch.

After a scoreless first 5 minutes in the second, MacKinnon would get his second of the night. Crosby makes a great play below the net, gets the puck and quickly passes it to MacKinnon open in the circle for a dangerous snap shot that went blocker side on Lankinen. The 4-0 lead ended the day for Finland goaltender Kevin Lankinen, with Juuse Saros replacing him to try to spark a change for Finland.

The first 2 periods Canada was playing such smart hockey. Taking advantage of Finnish mistakes by putting the puck in the net off smart passing and high percentage scoring areas as well as backchecking constantly and taking little risk. It seemed like there was never an option for any odd man rushes like a 3 on 2 or a 2 on 1 for Finland as the centers for Canada were relentlessly backchecking to help defensively.

Despite a late flurry of goals from Esa Lundell (13:19), Mikael Granlund (18:20) and another from Granlund at 18:43 in the third to make it a one goal game it just wasn’t enough for Finland to battle back. The script was there but Sidney Crosby put in an empty net goal to make it 5-3 with under a minute left. This secured Canada’s spot in the Championship game on Thursday, a rematch for the ages against Team USA. That Thursday game is the most must watch hockey event since last June when we had the pleasure of a Game 7 Stanley Cup Final between Florida and Edmonton. Multiple stars from those teams will be on the ice for the Championship and you simply must not miss it.