Cochrane's Dillon Dube played a part in all three goals scored by Team WHL last night in a 4-3 loss to the Russians in game 2 of the CIBC Canada Russia Series.

The team captain was also named Canada's MVP of the game and ended the two-game series as the WHL's leading scorer with five point, two goals and three assists. He was closely followed by linemate Sam Steel with four points.

The WHL juniors took a 3-0 lead by midway through the second but the Russians turned the tables and scored four unanswered goals to take the game. Up until then they had not been able to solve the Canadian riddle and went scoreless through four and a half periods of hockey.

All three WHL goals came on powerplays and Dube scored the first only 1:27 minutes into the game. He picked up his own rebound from an initial save by Russian goalie Mikhail Berdin and tapped it in. Playing deep in the pocket, the centre also helped to setup two goals by linemate David Quenneville that gave the WHL a 3-0 lead early in the second before the tide changed.

Dube said the Russians were able to capitalize on a few bad bounces and turnovers to go on the scoring spree. While he'd like to have won the second matchup the overall tournament experience was valuable and enjoyed returning to Saskatchewan to play.

"We clicked very well as a team in such a short period of time," says Dube. "We only had a pre-game skate together so I'm pretty impressive with how we did."

"It would have been nice to get the win, but you take the positives out of it. It was a good experience as part of the tryouts for World Juniors, so overall it was awesome."

It was the first time he's been teamed up with linemates Sam Steel, captain of the Regina Pats and the WHL's top scorer last season, and David Quenneville, of the Medicine Hat Tigers, and Dube said the line seemed to click.

"We don't get to see each other much because we play in different conferences, so it was cool to play on the same line and do pretty well together."

It was the second of a two game match up between the Russians and Team WHL. The WHL won the first one, 7-0. The Russians now go on to Ontario and Quebec for similar matchups against OHL and QMJHL select major junior teams.

Within a month Team Canada will be naming their roster for the IIHF World Junior Championship that opens in Buffalo on Boxing Day. Dube was part of Canada's silver medal team last year.