U.S. tops Finland in exhibition finale

WASHINGTON — John Tortorella sensed his players were tired of practising and getting coached and were ready for the World Cup of Hockey. They played like it, too. The United States beat Finland 3-2 on Tuesday night in each team’s final exhibition game before the World Cup begins this weekend in Toronto. Goaltender Jonathan Quick played well enough to earn the starting job for the first game of the tournament and, despite some late trouble, the Americans looked prepared for the real thing.

“I think the boys feel tournament ready,” said forward Max Pacioretty, who had an assist. “That probably was the most comfortable we’ve felt.”

Quick made 30 stops, giving up a goal on a perfect shot by teenage phenom Patrik Laine and another on a scramble in front by Jussi Jokinen. T.J. Oshie, Ryan Kesler and Derek Stepan scored for the U.S., which went 2-1-0 in exhibition play and begins the World Cup on Saturday against Team Europe.

Tortorella called it the Americans’ best of the three exhibition games and cited progress in several areas.

“We were cleaner,” Tortorella said. “Have we got it all figured out? No. And we probably won’t get it all figured out. It’s just not enough time to cover all the things we’d like to cover, so we just keep on banging away here and see if we can get better each day.”

Pacioretty was much better than in two previous games, responding to Tortorella’s comment that he needs “more” from the Montreal Canadiens forward. The new line of Pacioretty, Kesler and Oshie clicked, with Oshie appearing extra motivated playing in front of Washington Capitals fans.

“When you’re at your home rink, you just feel comfortable,” Oshie said. “Always fun playing at home.”