GAME STATISTICS | LIVE GAME BLOG 

HALIFAX, N.S. – Canada's National Junior Team wrapped up pre-tournament action with its third-consecutive win ahead of the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, defeating Finland 5-3 on Friday night.

• Connor Bedard (North Vancouver, B.C./Regina, WHL) scored a pair of power play goals.
• Brennan Othmann (Pickering, Ont./Peterborough, OHL) chipped in with a power play goal and an assist.
• Brandt Clarke (Nepean, Ont./Los Angeles, NHL) and Logan Stankoven (Kamloops, B.C./Kamloops, WHL) rounded out the scoring.
• Dylan Guenther (Edmonton, Alta./Arizona, NHL), Shane Wright (Burlington, Ont./Seattle, NHL) and Olen Zellweger (Fort Saskatchewan, Alta./Everett, WHL) collected two assists apiece.
• Thomas Milic (Coquitlam, B.C./Seattle, WHL) made 19 saves.
• Canada outshot Finland 45-22.

Next Game:

Canada vs. Czechia – Monday, Dec. 26 (7:30 p.m. AT/6:30 p.m. ET)

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will provide extensive coverage of the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, broadcasting all 31 tournament games. TSN Radio will also provide comprehensive tournament coverage.

Quotes:

“It was important for our group to go through a game like that where we had to trail and fight to take back the lead. I thought we kept our composure and stuck to the game plan, and that mentality will pay dividends as we move forward in the tournament. There was a lot of talk on the bench, not just from our captains but from all players, and that shows the level of leadership we have.”

-      Head coach Dennis Williams (Stratford, Ont./Everett, WHL) on the team’s composure when trailing

“It is nice to get a couple goals before the tournament starts. I have had a lot of chances, but pucks just have not been going in. Tonight was just a pre-tournament game, but with the crowd and intensity it felt a lot bigger, and it was good to find the back of the net and help our team get the win. We are still trying to get better every day, and with the players we have and how close we are already, we believe the potential of this team is a gold medal.”

-      Bedard on his two-goal performance and the team’s potential

“We are a strong team, and we are fast and physical. When teams want to ramp up the speed, we can play fast, and when teams want to play physical, we can match that. We are a close-knit and connected team, and every player in our room brings a quality to the team that makes us better. It is going to be a fun tournament when we get started on Boxing Day, and we know the fans in Halifax are going to create a special environment.”

-      Othmann on the team’s identity

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Junior Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and by using #WorldJuniors.