The powerful Canadians battled the Finns in Finland. Undisciplined penalties were their undoing with Canada heading to the penalty box nine times. Suomi took full advantage cashing in on two five-on-three power plays. Markus Granlund and Ville Jarvainen each tallied power play goals and Miro Aaltonen notched the winner with 7:16 left in regulation.

Islander prospect Griffin Reinhart and Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele tallied 36 seconds apart to tie the contest in the second period. Boston first round pick Malcolm Subban finished with 19 saves. Finland outshot Canada 22-15. Team Canada coach Steve Spott is looking for a better effort when they take on Sweden in another exhibition this weekend.

Alternate captain Jonathan Huberdeau sat out, serving the final game of a suspension for abusing an official during a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League game.

Over in Helsinki, Team USA defeated Finland 3-2 on defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere’s overtime goal. Off a faceoff win from Sean Kuraly, Gostisbehere stepped into a slap shot from the right point which sailed through traffic for the game winner at 1:38 of the extra session.

Defenseman Conor Murphy had a strong game scoring a goal while playing solid defense. Ryan Hartman steered the Americans in front 2-1 after putting away a Mario Lucia set up.

Phil Housley is coaching USA, which definitely is exciting for American hockey. He was a good defenseman who certainly knows a thing or two about contributing offensively. He gets to work with Seth Jones who’s already gone on record declaring USA the team to beat.

“Right in there. I think we’re the best team,” he told TSN’s Mark Masters Thursday. “We have a lot of speed up front, we’re great defensively and we have good goaltending so I think we have all the pieces to win the gold medal.”

Considering last year’s seventh place disappointment, we’ll see if Jones can lead Team USA back to the top.