BUFFALO — If Dante Fabbro is still hurting from what is believed to be a badly bruised foot, the Team Canada defenceman didn’t show it in a 4-2 win against Finland.

Fabbro, who missed practically all of the selection camp and both exhibition games leading up to the world juniors, was not given the green light to play until hours before the tournament opener. But despite starting the game as the seventh defenceman, the 19-year-old worked his way up to the top pairing, where he fired four shots in more than 18 minutes of ice time.

“It felt good. Obviously in the first period I was trying to feel things out,” said Fabbro, a first-round pick of the Nashville Predators who is one of seven returning players from last year’s Canadian team. “I felt better in every period.”

The addition of Fabbro meant Josh Mahura was returned to the WHL’s Regina Pats. And though Fabbro may or may not be 100 per cent, his college coach believes the 19-year-old could have a huge impact on the tournament.

“He’s evolved into more an elite defender,” said Boston University head coach David Quinn. “No. 1, I think he’s in much better shape and has continued to grow off the ice. His game is more well rounded and he’s taking more of a charge from an offensive standpoint.”

Fabbro’s evolution has come out of necessity. Last year, he was on a team with Charlie McAvoy and might have deferred to the higher profile defenceman, who has five goals and 19 points with the Boston Bruins this season.

But with McAvoy gone, more is expected out of Fabbro. And with four goals and 12 points in 18 games, he has stepped up — something Team Canada is also hoping for him to continue at the world juniors.

“It’s a psychological lift,” Quinn said of McAvoy leaving Boston University. “Not that they don’t want them on the team, but they think, ‘ok, now I’ve got a chance to take on more responsibility, not only on the ice but off the ice.’ I think that’s what’s happened with Dante. He’s a phenomenal kid.”

Katchouk hustles way to opening goal

On a team full of world-class sprinters, Boris Katchouk is the first to admit that his stride isn’t the strongest or smoothest. But he certainly didn’t look slow when he rushed the puck to the net on the game’s first goal, beating a couple of Finnish defencemen in the process.

“Maybe I got some magic speed there,” said Katchouk, laughing. “No, it’s hard work and trying to get my nose to the net. Good things happen.”

It’s part of Canada’s early identity. While the team might not have the same sort of jaw-dropping skill that past Canadian lineups have shown, this year’s edition is built around an ability to hunt the puck and catch opponents flat-footed.

“If we’re able to outskate teams, I think we have a chance,” said Victor Mete, whose end-to-end rush in the first period led to an easy tap-in goal from Drake Batherson.

“We have a lot of good skaters on this team and a lot of the European teams are used to playing on the bigger ice, so for them to get used to the smaller ice, there’s not a lot of room for them. If we can use our speed and burn them, we’ll use that to our advantage.”

OHL line looks in sync

It’s early, but don’t expect head coach Dominique Ducharme to juggle his lines much in this year’s tournament. From the very first practice, Team Canada has stuck with the same combinations, which has resulted in familiarity between players.

One trio that looks like they’ve been playing together for years — not weeks — are OHL forwards Katchouk, Robert Thomas and Taylor Raddysh.

“We connected right away,” said Katchouk, who along with Thomas is ranked in the top five in OHL goals and points. “We know each other through the Ontario Hockey League and we’ve become good friends with each other. I think that’s helped with us finding each other on the ice.”

Hart’s spotty beard inches along

Carter Hart, like most goalies, is really superstitious.

Every game, he follows the same routine. He not only eats the same meal, but eats it at the exact same time. He also has to be the last one off the ice after warm-ups, which led to a game of chicken with the Finnish backup goalie prior to Tuesday’s game.

A new superstition Hart has adopted for the world juniors is a playoff-style beard. But being a baby-faced 19-year-old, it’s something that is coming along slower than those of most NHLers.

“It’s been going for a bit — two weeks,” said Hart, laughing at the sparse hair dotting his jawline. “Plus I’m pretty lazy about shaving. I don’t really like shaving. This is about as thick as it’s going to get. It’s not too bad.”

Hart draws on experience of last 12 months

Hart, who was in net for Canada during last year’s overtime shootout loss to Team USA, said he is more confident and comfortable on the world stage that he was 12 months ago.

“It’s knowing what that level is and what the next level is,” said Hart, a second-round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers who spent time in the AHL after last season ended. “Going up to the American League and just kind of learning about the pro game and what it means to be a pro, I definitely learned a lot.”

Hart, who entered this year’s tournament with a .961 save percentage while playing with the Everett Silvertips, is one of the hottest goalies in the WHL — something he hopes to continue throughout the rest of the preliminary round and beyond.

“As the year goes by, you’re always going to grow as a goaltender,” he said. “But the experiences you have last year at the world juniors and having gone through the whole experience before definitely helps coming into this game and coming into this tournament.”