Nagano Cup (pre-competion)
February 7, 2003
Tokyo, Japan

The 2002 Allan Cup Champion Saint-Georges Garaga had its first taste of international hockey on Friday in a tune-up game for the Nagano Cup, losing 5-3 to Team Finland in Morioka, Japan.

Finland jumped out to an early 2-0 lead as Canada was still adjusting to the international ice surface and a strict referee.  Niko Kantelinen and Mikko Pukko had staked Finland to a lead as the game was just five minutes old.  Dominic Maltais cut the lead to 2-1 with an even-strength goal for Canada, with an assist from Karl Fleury.

And with two minutes to play in the first period, Frédéric Vermette evened the score, converting a Joel Prpic pass.

Finland outshot Canada 13-7 in the second period but only managed one goal on Guy Moore, who was stellar in Canada’s net.  Kantelinen, with his second goal, managed to solve Moore at 17:55 and Finland had a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes of play.

Kantelinen completed his hat trick in the third period on a powerplay, as Finland made it 4-2.  A goal by Claude Morin at 13:53 for Canada cut the lead to 4-3 but Finland’s Tommi Hannus restored their two-goal advantage at 18:47, giving the Finnish side a 5-3 victory.

Finland outshot Canada 35-20.  Netminder Guy Moore was named Canada’s Player of the Game.