Ice Hockey-Canada suffering first loss at Worlds in Shootout Dutch by Finland

May 19 (Reuters) -Canada’s perfect start of the men’s World Championships came to an end when the favorites before the tournament lost 2-1 against Finland on Monday in a penalty, after their preliminary round ended 1-1 after overtime. Both sides have already made the top four in Group A to qualify for the quarterfinals. Finland -GalTender Juuse Saros was in a startling form, and not just with his shooting, one of the 38 shots of the Canadian conceded. The opening goal fell to Canada during the second period, with Ryan O’Reilly, despite the fact that Finland held the Power Play benefit, but the purpose of Patrik Puistola in the third period brought the sides to overtime. Kent Johnson was the only Canadian who beat Saros in the shooting, while Puistola and Eeli tolls of Finland. Canada, 28 times champions who last won gold two years ago, are second in the group and can still take out the pinnacle when they take leaders in their final preliminary round match on Tuesday, with the Sweden two points ahead. Finland, who last won the gold medal in 2022 when they beat Canada in the final, is third on the standings, three points behind Canada. They are already playing on Tuesday eliminated Slovakia. Latvia is fourth, two points ahead of Austria, which they face in the last game. In Group B, Czech Republic, Switzerland and the United States have already made the knockout phases. Denmark, co-host with Sweden, will fight with Germany on Tuesday for fourth place with the sides level at nine points. (Reporting by Trevor Stines; Editing by Ken Ferris)