Canada Cup : LaFontaine Leads USA Past Finland

Pat LaFontaine scored two goals, and Team USA threw a defensive net around Team Finland for a 4-1 victory in an opening game of the 1987 Canada Cup Friday night before a crowd of 8,508 at Hartford, Conn.

The victory broke a nine-game winless streak for Team USA against Team Finland dating back to 1981. The Finns were 5-0-4.

LaFontaine, of the New York Islanders, scored the game’s first goal in the second period and made it 2-0 in the third period. Wayne Presley, a right wing with Chicago, and Joe Mullen of Calgary completed Team USA’s scoring before Timo Jutila beat goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck on a shot from the blue line with 1:13 left.

The Americans broke the ice when LaFontaine scored at 9:17 of the second period. Aaron Broten’s shot from the top of the slot rebounded to LaFontaine, who outfought Jari Gronstrand for the puck, whirled and made a low wrist shot.

LaFontaine got his second goal of the night at 4:57 of the third period.

Canada 4, Czechoslovakia 4-- David Volek’s power-play goal with 13 minutes to play gave Czechoslovakia a tie with Team Canada at Calgary.

There is no overtime in round-robin games of the six-team tournament.

Volek’s centering pass bounced off the stick of defenseman Craig Hartsburg with three seconds left in Normand Rochefort’s high-sticking penalty.