A little three-on-three overtime between hockey rivals Canada and Russia?
Sure. Why not?
Team Canada will go into the World Cup of Hockey with a 3-2 overtime win over Russia, with Ryan Getzlaf beating Sergei Bobrovsky five-hole on a breakaway thanks to a stretch pass from Brent Burns, as the two teams went back-and-forth trading chances with the open ice.
Canada goes into the event with back-to-back wins in pre-tournament competition. Again, they dominated in shots, forcing Bobrovsky to make 45 saves. He was busy. And that was despite the fact Canada was short handed seven times against a dangerous Russian team.
When the competition does officially get under way, Canada will have to be more disciplined. With a lineup involving Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin and Vladimir Tarasenko, it seemed like only a matter of time before the Russians would click on the power play Wednesday.
Ovechkin, from his favorite spot, on the left side ready for the one-timer, blasted a puck past Carey Price, getting Russia on the board in the third period.
Russia took the lead less than four minutes later on a goal from Artemi Panarin, but John Tavares scored to tie the game and send it to overtime.
For Canada, there are two more takeaways: Price, who is playing again for the first time since injuries disrupted his 2015-16 season, was good, making 24 saves. That should bode well for the Canadians.
And the line of Sidney Crosby, Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron could be a nasty trio for the opposition to face as this tournament continues. Crosby set up Bergeron for that beauty backhand goal in the first period.