The Young Lions’ World Cup campaign starts right after Christmas in Ottawa.
Finland’s under-20 men’s ice hockey team showed its potential in a training match played before the World Cup by crushing Slovakia 6-0.
Petteri Rimpinen kept a clean sheet against Canada in Cornwall with 21 saves. Jesse Kiiskinenthe captain Aron Kiviharju, Roope Vesterinen and Arttu Alasiurua took Nuoret Leijonat to a four-goal lead in the opening set. In the final Kasper Halttunen and Kalle Kangas frosted the winning figures. Goals were scored for every player in Finland.
On Monday, Finland will face the reigning champion of the age group, the United States, in a practice match, and the team will start the Ottawa World Championships with a match against Canada, Finnish time, on the night before Friday, December 27. The other group opponents of the Young Lions are Germany, the United States and Latvia.
Lauri Mikkolan Finland, coached by Finland, finished fourth in the World Cup competitions played in Gothenburg at the turn of last year.