INNSBRUCK, Austria – Eric Gropp and Reid Gardiner scored in the shootout as Canada wrapped up the preliminary round at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games with a 3-2 victory over Finland on Wednesday.

The win temporarily leaves Canada first in the standings with eight points after four games. The United States and Russia meet tonight in the preliminary finale; with a regulation win by either team or a Russian overtime win leaving Canada second. A U.S. win in overtime would leave Canada and the Americans tied for first, and give the Canadians top spot based on their 5-1 victory over the U.S. on Sunday.

Adam Brooks and Eric Cornel scored in regulation time for the Canadians, who led 1-0 and 2-1 but saw the Finns come back and tie the game each time. Lethbridge Hurricanes 1^st round draft pick Reid Duke added an assist on Brooks’ goal. “We were expecting a tough game and they gave us a tough game,” Canadian captain Joe Hicketts told iihf.com. “It helps us to have a game like this before we go to the semifinals.”

After a scoreless OT, Cornel opened the shootout by missing the net. After Canadian netminder Keven Bouchard stopped Joel Kiviranta, who had both goals in the game for Finland, Gropp and Gardiner scored for Canada, sandwiched around a Finnish goal by Kaperi Kapanen. Needing to score to extend the game, Finnish captain Manu Honkanen beat Bouchard but not the post, giving the Canadians the victory and the two points. After their 4 round robin games, Duke finishes with 4 points (3G, 1A) while Alternate Captain and Canes 1^st round draft pick Ryan Pilon had 3 points (2G, 1A.) For more information on the 2012 Youth Winter Olympics, visit www.hockeycanada.ca or www.innsbruck2012.com