Canada scored three power-play goals, including a pair by captain Dylan Strome, to open the preliminary round of the world junior hockey championship with a hearty 5-3 victory over Russia.
It was a strong start against a tough opponent for Canada, which has been shut out of the medals at three of the past four world junior tournaments. The Canadians dropped their tournament-opening game to the Americans last year, eventually finishing sixth in Finland in their worst showing in almost 20 years.
Tyson Jost, Nicolas Roy and Matt Barzal also found the back of the net for the Canadians, with Carter Hart yielding three goals on 17 shots in the win.
Windsor Spitfires defenceman Mikhail Sergachev scored for Russia in the first period.
Canada is back in action Tuesday night against Slovakia at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.