Noah Juulsen got the best of Mikhail Sergachev, as Team Canada took their opening game against the Russians by a 5-3 scoreline.
Sergachev, however, had Russia's opening goal in the effort while Juulsen was held off the scoresheet. The Canadiens' first round pick from the 2016 NHL Draft made it 1-1 midway through the first with a wrister that beat goaltender Carter Hart.
The Russian rearguard also registered a pair of penalty minutes in 16:46 of ice time.
Juulsen for his part played 16:06 in the encounter.
Team Canada returns to action on Tuesday, opposite Slovakia.