U.S. hands Canada first World Junior Championship opener loss since 1997

Niklas Hagman scored the winning goal with 3:40 to play as Finland beat Canada 3-2.

That was the scene the last time Canada lost its opening game of the World Junior Championship – Christmas Day, 1997.

It took 18 years for that to happen again as Canada was defeated 4-2 by the United States on Saturday. And the plight of the Canadian team – coincidentally also in Helsinki – was similar.

In the 1998 tournament, Eero Somervuori put the Finns ahead on a power play 7:27 into the third period.

On Saturday, Zach Werenski floated a shot from the blue-line with the Americans on a man advantage to break a tie 7:22 into the third.

Canada replied quickly both times – 18 years ago it was Jean-Pierre Dumont; on Saturday it was Dylan Strome scoring on a power play.

Much like the Hagman goal, the decisive American marker came in the final four minutes of the game.

A harmless point shot from Louis Belpedio was tipped by Canadian defenceman Joe Hicketts, eluding Canadian goaltender Mason McDonald’s glove with 3:12 left on the clock.

Auston Matthews, the expected first overall pick in the 2016 NHL draft, added to the offence 41 seconds later to give the American some insurance.

That’s the only goal McDonald could be faulted for. He certainly had no chance on the winner, which would have been an easy save if not for the Hicketts tip.

But the shot that trickled through his legs, allowing Matthews an easy tap-in goal, crippled Canada’s chances of a comeback.

Remember, goaltending was an area of concern for Canada heading into the tournament. Mackenzie Blackwood’s suspension in the OHL meant he was banned from the first two games in Helsinki. Blackwood had the better numbers while playing for the Barrie Colts and was the presumptive starter. His efforts shutting out the Czech Republic in pre-tournament play would have only helped his chances.

Now the Canadians will have to fight their way back from a preliminary round loss. Recent history hasn’t been kind to them under those circumstances.

In 2014, they lost to the Czechs 5-4 in a shootout and ultimately finished fourth.

In 2011, they lost to the Swedes 6-5 in a shootout and wound up with a silver medal.

The last time they lost their opening game of the tournament, they finished eighth in 1998. That was Canada’s worst-ever finish.

That’s not to say they will finish eighth – or even out of the medals – this time. But it does underscore the importance of their New Year’s Eve date with Sweden. A loss in that one and Canada definitely won’t get an easy opponent in their quarter-final matchup.

So Saturday’s loss is where they’ll want any comparisons to the 1998 tournament to end.

More Junior Hockey Coverage on Yahoo Sports: