A three-goal second period lifted Canada to a 3-2 victory over Russia in the opener of the Canada-Russia Challenge in Yaroslavl, Russia, on Thursday.

Sean Monahan and Scott Harrington opened the scoring just 2:10 apart early in the second period. After Anton Slepyshev put Russia on the board at 8:01, Dougie Hamilton restored Canada’s two-goal cushion at 17:40 on a power play.

First overall NHL pick Nail Yakupov made it interesting in the third with a power-play goal at the 14-minute mark.

Malcolm Subban made 16 saves for the win.

The series resumes Friday in Yaroslavl before concluding in Halifax at the Metro Centre next Monday and Tuesday.