TRENCIN, Slovakia – Canada’s national men’s summer under-18 team dropped a 9-6 decision to Finland on Monday at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Canada led 3-1 after 11 minutes but Finland rebounded with three goals in the second period and pulled away with four goals in the third.
“We got a little content as the game wore on – lost battles, little intangible things that don’t take skill but rather will – and before you know it, you are down quite a few,” Canada’s assistant coach Kris Mallette said, according to a team release. “The systematic side of things is the least of our worries. Within this group right now, we need to find a way and bear down on the intangibles and find a way to win.”
Cole Beaudoin, Maxim Masse, Justin Poirier, Berkly Catton, Henry Mews and Roger McQueen scored for Canada in the preliminary round opener for both teams.
“We need to be harder on pucks, get on the backcheck, play defence first and then go to our offence,” Beaudoin said in the same team release. “But we need to play defence first and make sure we do so responsibly.”
Tuomas Suoniemi had a hat trick for Finland and added two assists.
Daniel Nieminen, Arttu Valila, Emil Hemming, Joona Saarelainen, Akseli Pulkkanen and Julius Miettinen had the other Finland goals.
Canada goaltender Gabriel D’Aigle was replaced by Carter George midway through the third period.
Sweden whipped Germany 11-1 in the other early game. Co-host Czechia was scheduled to play the United States later Monday and Switzerland was to face Slovakia.
The defending champion Canadians will next play co-host Slovakia on Tuesday.
Play at the eight-team tournament continues through Saturday.
–with files from Sportsnet staff