2001-02 National Men's Under-18 Team

April 20, 2002
Piestany, Slovakia

Piestany, Slovakia - Canada's National Under 18 Team lost 3-1 to Finland in final round action on Saturday, April 20th at the 2002 IIHF World Under 18 Hockey Championship.

Canada opened the scoring when Brett O'Malley took the big hit in front of the net, while dishing the puck to Jarret Lukin, of Fort McMurray, AB who surprised the Finnish goaltender Hannu Toivonen with a quick shot. Canada carried the play for most of the opening period, and held on to the 1-0 lead going into the dressing room.

Finland tied it in the opening moments of the second period, after a clearing attempt hit a linesman and led to a Finland two-on-one, which in turn led to a goal by Sean Bergenheim at 0:17.

Finland then took the lead in the third on a long shot that Maxime Daigneault couldn't get a hold on. Tommi Pelkonen with the goal at 5:29. Jaako Viljanen added an insurance marker at 15:05 and Finland skated away with a 3-1 victory.

Canada is taking part in it's first ever World Under 18 Hockey Championship, and is made up of players born in 1984, presently not involved in the playoffs in either the CHL, university or Junior ?A? leagues. Canada closes out the Championship by taking on Belarus on April 21st, in Piestany, Slovakia.

Game Summary