Jonathan Huberdeau gets 3 points in deciding game of Canada-Russia Challenge, tops 3 Stars

Buzzing The Net's Three Stars following Canada's victory in the Canada-Russia Challenge in Halifax. Canada won 4-2 in Game 4, leading to an overtime to decide the series which Ryan Strome ended with a goal 3:20 in by beating Andrei Vasilevski with a wrist shot from the slot.

No. 1 star: Jonathan Huberdeau, Team Canada

Huberdeau (1G-2A) led by example. The Florida Panthers prospect, who could be in the NHL come world junior time pending the resolution of new CBA< and was on the ice for all four Canadian goals in the regulation game. The 19-year-old's power-play marker with 5:58 left in the third period ensured the series would be extended to a 20-minute sudden-death overtime to decide the winner.

Earlier in the period, the Saint John Sea Dogs star was also integral on a third-period penalty kill when Russia was looking to tie the game. (That was after a penalty for, get this, faceoff interference.) The Huberdeau-Lucas Lessio-Strome line was probably Canada's best at 5-on-5.

No. 2 star: Ty Rattie, Team Canada

There are the hands that kept Western League goalies up at night last season. Rattie (2G-1A), goal-less in Canada's two losses in the series, shook two goals out of his stick by scoring power-play markers 2:56 apart in the second period to put his side ahead for the first time since Game 1 of the series. Both were dirty-area markers, as Rattie controlled and popped in a Mark Scheifele rebound to tie the score 2-2, then reached around goalie Andrei Vasilevski to stuff in a backhand.

Rattie also put a backdoor feed right on the tape of Hubereau's stick for the fourth goal. That tally gave Canada eight power-play goals in the series. It's ultimately exhibition, but one should expect the national junior team that takes shape in December to have a semi-decent power play for the world junior tournament in Ufa, Russa.

Rattie finished the tourney with a team-high three goals. Can he count that toward his total last season with the Portland Winterhawks to give him an even 60, or put it toward this season's stats?

No. 3 star: Andrei Vasilevski, Team Russia

Russia was outshot by a wide margin for the second consecutive game and Vasilevski, the Tampa Bay Lightning first-rounder who seems to be all arms and legs, kept them in the game while facing 40-plus shots. His 19-save first period was a major reason the game stayed close until the third period.

Honourable mention: Mark Scheifele, Team Canada

The potential returning centre played an energetic game, winning faceoffs while asserting himself physically like he started to late last season with the Ontario League's Barrie Colts. The Winnipeg Jets first-round pick had three power-play assists.

Honourable mention: Philip Danault, Team Canada

The Chicago Blackhawks prospect was a pest par excellent. Even though it was an exhibition game, the Victoriaville Tigres captain returned to finish the contest after being cut during the third period, which required eight stitches right below his bottom lip.

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Contact him at neatesager@yahoo.ca and follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.