Team Canada vs. Finland World Championship Live Updates, Score, Result
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Frank Doyle
UPDATE: Team Canada suffered its sixth consecutive loss at the IIHF World Championships Thursday, falling 3-2 to Finland after jumping out to a 2-1 lead. Check out Frank Doyle’s live blog to see how it happened… again.
So now things get interesting.
Team Canada hasn’t had the smoothest road to the IIHF World Championship quarterfinals in Belarus, but like so many Canuck squads before them, here they are.
This game against Finland is going to be tricky. Pekka Rinne is the type of goaltender who can steal a game from anybody and the Fins will try to frustrate Canada by collapsing around the net. Finland’s going to take every opportunity to get under Team Canada’s skin too.
Sports Interaction lists Canada as a -287 favorite in this one, but that seems very steep in what should end up to be a one or two-goal game.
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Pregame
Ben Scrivens gets the call in goal today for Canada, which has to be a kick in the pants for James Reimer. Scrivens deserves it and I expected more out of Reimer in this tournament.
That said, Canada was going to be outmatched by Rinne no matter who went between the pipes.
I hope I’m wrong, but this could be a terribly boring game. After seeing what Finland did in the Olympics, mowing my lawn after work may end up more appealing than watching the blue and white block shots for 60 or more minutes.
Canada moves from -286 to -300. Oh boy. Line tops out at -302 before the puck drops.
Period 1
Canada has gone 27 round-robin games without losing in regulation. That’s some kind of run for a team that often falls apart in the knockout round.
Early save by Scrivens and there’s our first scrum in front of the net. Better get used to it.
Early PP coming up for Canada after an interference penalty. 22 percent on the PP so far, which is great for being thrown together in this tournament.
A couple good chances for Canada on that PP but Rinne is there. Tyler Myers takes a penalty seconds later to give Finland a crack with the man advantage.
GOAL FINLAND. The Fins strike first about seven minutes into the first period. This couldn’t have started much worse for Team Canada.
Not saying Team Canada can’t come back vs. Finland, but you’re crazy taking them at -300.
Canada heads to the PP on a high-sticking call. Kadri beats Rinne short side but hits the post.
Leo Komarov has been one of the best players on the ice so far. He wants to come back to the NHL after playing last year in the KHL and should have a bunch of teams lining up to talk to him.
Canada gets another PP late in the first period. About three minutes left now.
OH FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. Another ridiculous crease violation there because Canada had a skate in the blue paint.
Another Finland penalty as they try to deal with Canada’s pressure down low. Good pressure there from the Canadians but can’t beat Rinne.
Seriously, if Tippett doesn’t play MacKinnon 20+ minutes tonight, he might as just stay in Belarus forever.
End of Period 1. Finland 1, Canada 0
Not a terrible effort from Canada. They were pushed back early by Finland’s speed and counterattacking but sustained some good pressure on those power plays. The issue is pressure doesn’t get you goals. Goals get you goals. We’ll see if they can crack Rinne in the second.
Down 1-0 after 20 minutes, Team Canada now a -130 favorite to beat Finland in live betting.
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Period 2
Well, with that power play out of the way, Canada is going to be playing uphill. Finland is barely putting one forechecker in on the play with four others clogging the neutral zone.
KYLE TURRIS rips one to tie the game on a rocket from the top of the circle.
That goal has put some life back into Canada. They’re pushing hard for a lead but Rinne is coming up big again.
It may be annoying to watch, but you have to give the Fins credit for sticking to this system. It’s not easy to hold back and defend for most of the game without jumping out of position to battle for a loose puck. Finland knows this is their only chance against highly-skilled teams.
Some 4-on-4 action coming up after a couple of roughing minors.
CANADA SCORES. Mark Scheifele on a break! 2-1 Canada.
And just like that, Canada moves to a -667 favorite in live betting vs. Finland.
End of Period 2. Canada 2, Finland 1
Canada made the most of its chances in the second frame and beat Pekka Rinne twice. Neither could be classified as his fault by any means, but we’ve seen him make those stops before. Watch for the Fins to get a couple of power plays in the third. The refs have been kind to Canada so far and there’s a make-up call coming.
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Period 3
GOAL FINLAND. That’s an ugly one that Ben Scrivens wants back. That was Hietanen with the goal.
Canada drops to -200 in live betting. Shine on you crazy hoser bettors.
If Nate MacKinnon doesn’t play 20+ minutes tonight, Dave Tippet might as well just stay in Belarus forever.
We need a Joel Ward sighting in the worst way.
Huh. Tyler Myers still exists. How about that?
We’re down to about 10 minutes left and Finland is really giving everything Canada can handle. Over the last few shifts, the Fins are starting to pressure a little more in the neutral zone and have forced some turnovers.
Just a reminder that the Fins have three dudes who play in the NHL. TIME FOR A TEAM CANADA CUP CHECK.
Canada takes time out with seven minutes left after being hemmed in for a long shift, forcing an icing.
Finland’s fans are the best. Just like their team, they show up for every international tournament. Huge respect.
FINLAND SCORES.
Absolutely awful turnover by Tyler Myers ended up in Canada’s net.
FINAL SCORE: Finland 3, Canada 2
Hate to say I told you so, folks. Canada falls apart in the third with some bonehead plays and Rinne steals it for Finland.