Team Canada beat Russia 5-3 at General Motors Place in the first game of the inaugural World Cup of Hockey tournament.
The win was controversial due to Canadian referees disallowing two Russian goals and handing out several questionable penalties. Former Vancouver Canucks captain Trevor Linden notched an assist on a goal by Vincent Damphousse. Team Russia included Canucks star forward Alexander Mogilny but had to make do without the services of teammate Pavel Bure after he was injured in an exhibition game.
Canada advanced to the final round but lost the best-of-three series to Team U.S.A., largely due to stellar goaltending from tournament MVP Mike Richter.
