Tavares scores twice, Canada beats U.S. in World Cup exhibition

Team Canada's Jonathan Tavares celebrates a first period goal against Team USA during pre-tournament World Cup of Hockey action in Ottawa on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)

OTTAWA -- John Tavares scored twice to lead Team Canada to a 5-2 victory over Team USA Saturday night in World Cup of Hockey pre-tournament play in Ottawa.

Logan Couture, Jay Bouwmeester and Matt Duchene also scored for Canada. Braden Holtby allowed two goals on 13 shots, while Corey Crawford faced 10 shots in 26:28 of ice time.

Ryan McDonagh and John Carlson scored for the U.S. Cory Schneider started the game and allowed four goals on 24 shots, while Ben Bishop, who came in for the third period, allowed one goal on 14 shots.

Leading 4-2, Canada gave the 18,687 on hand at Canadian Tire Centre plenty to cheer about as Tavares made it 5-2 with his second of the night.

The U.S. trailed 3-1 to start the second, but had a two-man advantage and made the most of it as Carlson wired a one-timer past Holtby to make it a one-goal game.

After an exciting first period both teams appeared a little sluggish at times through the second, not surprising considering the two played the night before in Columbus where the U.S. won 4-2.

Canada regained a two-goal lead at the 12-minute mark as Tyler Seguin fought off T.J. Oshie and dropped a pass back to Duchene, who buried it to make it 4-2.

Canada opened the scoring with three straight goals in the first period.

Couture started the scoring with a power-play goal midway through the period as he took a great pass from Joe Thornton and beat Schneider through the legs on his backhand.

Just over two minutes later, on a 4-on-3, Tavares banked the puck in off Ryan McDonagh. With less than five minutes remaining, Ryan Getzlaf passed from behind the net to Bouwmeester, who scored far side.

The U.S. made it 3-1 to end the period when McDonagh's shot made it through traffic to beat Holtby.

Canada will play its final exhibition game Wednesday against Team Russia in Pittsburgh, while the U.S. will host Team Finland Tuesday night in Washington.

Notes: Canada C Sidney Crosby and D Jake Muzzin did not play Saturday night. The U.S. scratched D Matt Niskanen and RW David Backes.