Previewing the 2022 IIHF WJC Gold Medal Game - Finland vs Canada

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It all comes down to this, the most prolific game of a hockey player's junior career. Who will take home the gold medal?
 
Team Finland comes into the game looking for a bounceback effort. They were defeated by Canada during the preliminary round, 6-3. Team Canada cruised through the preliminary round and will have their biggest test of the tournament today.

Keys to Success:

For Finland, they need to establish an early lead. Finland's top line of Aatu Raty, Joakim Kemell, and Roni Hirvonen have been carrying the load offensively. With an early lead, Finland's defensive strengths and shut a game down, like they did against Team Sweden yesterday. Finland defeated Sweden, 1-0, and limited the Swedes to just 23 shots.
 
Canada will need to break down Finland's defensive core once again, like they did in the preliminary round. Canada's offensive core is made up of highly skilled players that pounce on mistakes. Finland's game revolves around possession. If Canada is able to break down the d-man, they will easily find success.

Players to Watch:

Aatu Raty is the leader of the Finnish forward group. Raty centers Finland's top line and is a key part of Finland's offensive game. Raty is a highly skilled forward, and when at his best he is almost unstoppable.
 
Topi Niemela practically runs the Finnish d-core. Niemela is a player that is relied on to eat up big minutes each and every game. Niemela leads all Finnish skaters in ice-time. He commands the power play unit and will be on the ice at the most important times.
Who isn't looking at Connor Bedard? Canada needs a strong offensive effort from Bedard in order to succeed. The projected first-round pick was separated from captain Mason McTavish's line. Canada looks to diversify talent throughout the lineup. Bedard will play alongside Nathan Gaucher and Will Cuylle.
 
Donovan Sebrango is arguably the most important player on the entire Canadian roster. Canada will count on Sebrango to shut down Finland's top line and play heavy minutes of shut-down defense.
Projected Lines (Fin, Can):

Hirvonen-Räty-Kemell
Järventie-Määttä-Simontaival
Liukas-Kapanen-Väisänen
Mäenpää-Helenius-Karvinen
Koivunen-Lambert

Rafkin-Niemela
Viro-Heimosalmi
Jurmo-Puutio
Rajaniemi

Jatkola
Meriläinen

Roy-McTavish-Dufour
Johnson-Stankoven-Forester
Cuylle-Gaucher-Bedard
Othmann-Ostapchuk-Desnoyers
Kidney

Sebrango-Zellweger
Del Mastro-Cormier
Seeley-Thompson
O'Rourke

Garand
Cossa

Mason McTavish is currently the tournament leader in points with 15 points. While Finland's Joakim Kemell sits in second with 11 points. Who will take the gold medal?