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Kaapo Kakko (2nd R, front) of Finland celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship group A game between Finland and Canada at Steel Arena in Kosice, Slovakia, on May 10, 2019. Finland won 3-1. (Xinhua/Lukasz Laskowski)

BRATISLAVA, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Finland beat title favorite Canada 3-1 in their ice hockey world championship opener in Kosice, Slovakia, on Friday.

The excited crowd got on their feet when Finland's captain Marko Anttila leveled one of the opponents to the ice early in the game. Usually, it's the other way round, Canada's players collecting hits against their opponents. A couple of minutes later, the crowd exploded when the 18-year-old Fin Kaapo Kakko finished his breakaway with a nifty deke, despite being fouled, and put his team ahead 1-0.

But it took Canada only 76 seconds to tie the game. Jonathan Marchessault put his top-shelf attempt past Finland's goalkeeper on a man advantage.

The Fins capitalized on a man advantage, as well. Early in the third period, Arttu Ilomakki chipped in a goal after the puck bounced around in front of Canada's goalie and put his team ahead again, 2-1. Canada desperately tried to tie the game up again, but Kevin Lankinen neutralized every attempt.

Kaapo Kakko, the projected second overall pick of the upcoming NHL draft, became the hero of the game, scoring also the empty-netter in the final minute to set the final score of the Group A opener at 3-1.