After a quiet 1-0 win against the Czech Republic, Team Canada brought out the heavy artillery for their Pre-Tournament finale against Sweden. Firing on all cylinders, the boys in Red and White won this one by an equally narrow but much more exciting 7-6 final, with Vancouver Canucks prospect Jake Virtanen leading the way.

His first goal came from a spectacular takeaway, as Virtanen stripped the puck from the Swedish defender, headed towards the net, and picked the open corner. It was the first goal of the game for either team, and it put Canada ahead for nine minutes before Oskar Lindblom retaliated with an equalizer.

Canada began to pull away with the game in the second period, with Dylan Strome and Mitchell Stephens finding the back of the net, but it was Virtanen’s second that appeared to secure the game for the Canadians.

Admittedly, the 19-year-old didn’t have to do a bunch for this one. 2015 fourth overall pick Mitch Marner showed spectacular patience to find Virtanen, who had an open net once the puck found his stick, allowing him to beat a sprawling Linus Soderstrom.

Canada collapsed in the third period, giving up five of the next six goals to allow Sweden to tie the game. Marner returned to the score sheet with three and a half remaining to pick up the game winner, but ultimately, Virtanen was deservedly named the player of the game. He was Canada’s only multi-goal scorer and was a presence in all three zones.

Now, Canada starts to play for real. Their first game is at 10 AM on Saturday, against the United States.