PLYMOUTH, Michigan – Canada arrived at the U.S. side of the World Junior Summer Showcase at USA Hockey Arena and started off their American foray against Finland in the first of two games Stateside.

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It looked for most of the game that it was going to be a runaway for Canada, but Finland did fight back in the third period to make the score line look a little better. The final score was 8-6 with Finland scoring four unanswered goals in the third period including one that beat the final buzzer. Canada dominated most of the game before penalty trouble cost them a bit more in the third.

In the end, it was a great chance to get a looks at a lot of high-end prospects in a game that was played with tremendous pace and competitiveness. Here's what you need to know from the game.

Scoring Summary - Canada 8, Finland 6

Canada; Andrew Cristall x2; Tij Iginla x2; Cole Beaudoin, Beckett Sennecke, Sam Dickinson, Riley Heidt; Finland: Topias Hynninen; Emil Pieniniemi x2; Joona Saarelainen, Emil Hemming

Canada Lines, Defense Pairings And Goaltending Vs. Finland

Bradly Nadeau (CAR) – Riley Heidt (MIN) – Colby Barlow (WPG)
Tij Iginla (UTA) – Denver Barkey (PHI) – Beckett Sennecke (ANA)
Andrew Cristall (WSH) – Cole Beaudoin (UTA) – Carson Wetsch (SJS)
Anthony Romani (VAN) – Jett Luchanko (PHI) – Vincent Collard

Sam Dickinson (SJS) – Etienne Morin (CGY)
Caden Price (SEA) – Andrew Gibson (NSH)
Quinton Burns (STL) – Carter Sotheran (PHI)
Dylan MacKinnon (NSH)

Carson Bjarnason (PHI)
Joshua Ravensbergen (2025)

Team Canada Power Play Units

1: Dickinson, Barlow, Heidt, Cristall, Luchanko

2: Price, Sennecke, Barkey, Romani, Iginla

Team Canada vs. Finland Scouting Reports

Beckett Sennecke, RW (ANA)

Having not played in a game since he was knocked out of the OHL playoffs with an injury last spring, the No. 3 overall pick looked healthy to say the least. He was a force with the puck on his stick, creating with skill, getting to the interior and making mostly good decisions with the puck. He set up a pair of goals and scored one of his own. Sennecke's touch on the puck is special and he showcased some excellent one-on-one skills that confused defenders. His goal was on a tough angle with a perfectly-placed one-timer. You would think he might not have his timing or maybe be a little sluggish coming off of injury, but that was absolutely not the case.

Tij Iginla, LW (UTA)

Iginla scored twice in eight seconds at the end of the first period to really flip the game. His speed was a factor in both goals, scoring on the rush off of a Sennecke pass and then he answered right back streaking past the defense before catching a seam pass in stride and putting a low shot five-hole. The ability to get pucks to the interior and make plays regularly shows why he at least has a chance to make Canada's roster in the winter.

Andrew Cristall, LW (WSH)

He scored two goals and had two assists, which was an impressive showing. He makes good, smart decisions with the puck and was able to make some skill plays. The thing I like about Cristall is that he can execute at a pretty high level with the puck on his stick. There were still glimpses of why he has to battle for his spot on this roster as his size and lack of strength was evident in some of the board battles, but I think his pace is improving and he thinks the game at a high level.

Cole Beaudoin, C (UTA)

While Beaudoin scored a nice goal, I also liked how much he was able to battle and the battles he could win off the wall, in the slot. He also made himself available for offense. He scored on an absolute snipe and showed that he can finish when you need him to. I think he could be in the mix for a fourth-line, penalty-killing type role. That seems to be where he makes the most sense for this roster and showd glimpses of why that's a fit today.

Colby Barlow, RW (WPG)

I wouldn't say that Barlow stood out per se, but he made his presence felt enough times that I wanted to write him up. He's a physical player who lets his opponents know he's there. I think the World Junior pace is a bit ahead of him yet, which is going to be part of what he has to work on to make Canada's roster. That said, he has enough touch on the puck and plays with enough edge that he could play in a lot of different spots in Canada's lineup.

Sam Dickinson, D (SJS)

There were some good and bad moments for Dickinson in the game. A couple of times I thought he needed to be a little more urgent with his decisions. That said, he finished with three points and was one of Canada's most noticeable defensemen in both ends of the ice. He scored a power-play goal and looked comfortable at all stages of the game. He got sucked into a few bad penalties by Finland, but it ultimately didn't cost his team. The skating ability really stands out when you see him with fellow high-end prospects. It's definitely a plus trait for him.

Emil Pieniniemi, D (PIT)

It certainly wasn't a defensive showcase for Finland in this game, but Pieniniemi was a guy who made plays at both ends. He has pretty good size, moves well and can he ever shoot the puck. He scored twice on the power play and also picked up an assist in the game. Whether he's letting go a one-timer or his wrist shot, there's heaviness on that puck. He hasn't traditionally been a point producer and may not be long-term, but he showed some clear traits in the game Friday.

Other news, notes and observations from Canada vs. Finland

• Tanner Howe (PIT) was injured earlier in camp and will not participate in the remainder of Canada's World Junior Summer Showcase. Hockey Canada also decided not to bring their returning players to Plymouth with them after completing the Windsor portion of their camp.
• Canada's D corps is going to be an interesting one to put together. They have a lot of talent, but also want to find some balance. The lineup they used Friday had a lot more of their physical, defensive guys and each tried to impose their will on the game. Carter Sotheran (PHI) in particular was definitely leaning on the Finnish players more and creating some tension on the ice. 
• Draft-eligible goalie Joshua Ravensbergen came into the game in the second half and had a tough time as the game was a bit out of hand and he saw the far better chances from Finland. He ended up giving up five goals in what may be his only action of the camp. He's a good goaltender and I don't think that was up to his standard. You also give him some extra grace coming on in relief as Canada was splitting their goalies.
• Canada will meet USA in the finale of the camp at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

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