Connor Bedard fired two lasers, leaving the opposing goaltender in a tie and giving Canada a 5-3 win over Finland in the final preseason game of the World Junior Hockey Championship in Halifax on Friday.

The tournament’s host country had easily clinched back-to-back victories against the Swiss and the Slovaks, but had their hands full against the Finns.

In the third period, the Canadians tried everything to regain the lead after Joakim Kemell equalized on the power play. The Maple Leaf’s big guns opened up the machine. Bedard even attempted a Michigan shot but goalie Jani Lampinen didn’t flinch. The young Canadian bounced back five minutes from the end of the game, getting the better of the bouncer with a good shot into the top corner.

After an uneventful first half, it was the Finns who opened the scoring thanks to a Nico Huuhtanen goal early in the second half. It was the first time since the beginning of the preparation phase that the opponent led the Canadian team.

This lead didn’t last long. Canada responded quickly with Brennan Othman’s net. The New York Rangers contender got in front of the net and blocked a perfect shot from teammate Olen Zellweger. The Finns, motivated by the idea of ​​winning the game, retook the lead on the power play after a breach by Quebec’s Nathan Gaucher.

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Injured in the second half, Shane Wright left the game for a few minutes. On his return, he won an important faceoff before going in front of the net to deflect the puck behind Lampinen. It was ultimately defense attorney Brandt Clarke who was credited with the net.

Who but Connor Bedard could give the Canadians the lead? The one everyone’s been waiting for, as the next National Hockey League (NHL) first overall winner hit the net with a major league shot that few goaltenders could have stopped. He had four assists since the start of preseason but he was still looking for his first goal.

Logan Stankoven completed the goal in an empty net.

With the pre-season games behind them, Canada’s players can start thinking about the preliminary round, which begins next Monday against the Czech Republic.