NHL: First Blood To Canada As Europe Downed In World Cup Final

TORONTO, Canada, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Sep, 2016 ) - Brad Marchand celebrated his $49 million eight-year deal with the Boston Bruins and helped power Canada to a 3-1 victory over Europe in the opening game of the World Cup of Hockey final series on Tuesday.

Marchand contributed a goal and an assist just a day after inking his contract extension with the Bruins to snuff out speculation of a possible move to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Steven Stamkos and Patrice Bergeron scored Canada's other goals against a Europe side who dug deep and caused problems for the hosts.

"In the first, I thought that they were better than us for large stretches of the game at times," Canada coach Mike Babcock said.

"I thought they executed and played fast. I didn't think we moved the puck out of our zone at all tonight, went back and forth.

We had guys out there that didn't talk to one another ... They looked quicker than they were and we probably looked slower than we were." Marchand fired Canada into the lead after just 2:33 of the opening period, stealing in behind the defense after darting out of the penalty box.

It was Marchand's fourth goal in five games of the tournament. Stamkos then grabbed his first of the tournament, finishing off a pass from Ryan Getzlaf to put Canada up 2-0 at the end of the first period. Canada were jolted though when Europe pulled a goal back midway through the second period.