Canada drops World Championship opener to Finland

Canada lost its tournament opener at the 2019 World Championship in a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Finland on Friday.

Finland got on the board first with a sensational breakaway goal by blue-chip 2019 draft prospect Kaapo Kakko in the opening period. Canada responded shortly after on the power play with a goal orchestrated by three Vegas Golden Knights, as Shea Theodore and Mark Stone set up Jonathan Marchessault's marker.

After a scoreless middle frame, Finland took the lead early in the third on a power-play goal by Arttu Ilomaki, who had 45 points in 60 games for Lukko in the Finnish pro league this season.

Kakko added his second of the game on an empty netter in the final minute.

Canada returns to action Sunday versus Great Britain, while Finland takes on host Slovakia on Saturday.