HELSINKI, Finland - Patrick Sharp knew exactly what he was getting when Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was placed on a line with him and Jamie Benn at the IIHF World Hockey Championship. Antonio Gates Jersey . "He had a lot of success against the Blackhawks this year, Im familiar with the type of player he is," Sharp said of Nugent-Hopkins. "Hes a great skater, he handles the puck well and he can finish when he gets an opportunity as well." It showed on Monday as the newly formed unit piled up the points during a 7-2 victory by Canada over France. Nugent-Hopkins opened the scoring less than two minutes into the game and went on to add another goal and an assist while Sharp finished with a goal and four assists and Benn had two goals and an assist. "It was a fun game," said Nugent-Hopkins. The No. 1 overall pick from last years NHL draft was the first to admit he struggled in Canadas first two games of the tournament. Against France, Sharp took a number of faceoffs in his place -- he and Nugent-Hopkins rotated between centre and wing -- and the trio was dangerous virtually every time it was on the ice. "Its a transition coming overseas," said Nugent-Hopkins. "I didnt want to get down on myself because its a long tournament." Canada got exactly what it wanted from a game against one of the weaker teams at the event. Coach Brent Sutter thought Canadas overall defensive play was much better than Saturdays 5-4 overtime loss to the United States and his line juggling yielded some immediate results. All and all, it was a step forward. "Theres still room for improvement," said Sutter. Jordan Eberle and Corey Perry also scored for Canada (2-0-1) while Devan Dubnyk made 19 saves and picked up the victory in his first ever start at the world championship. Brian Henderson and Alexandre Rouleau replied for France (1-2-0). Playing in a near-empty Hartwall Arena -- announced attendance was 3,415 -- there wasnt much energy in the building. France didnt even start its top goalie for the game, choosing instead to send in 39-year-old Fabrice Lhenry while resting Cristobal Huet for later in the tournament. However, the goal barrage could end up being quite important for a Canadian team that will face tough games against Switzerland and host Finland later in the week. "Were growing together," said Benn. Nugent-Hopkins, Sharp and Benn, with two, scored early and often -- helping Canada race out to a 4-0 lead in the first 18 minutes. They were clearly thrilled to be playing together. "Its always nice to get a few like that," said Sharp. "We saw a number of guys score tonight. Thats big for confidence going forward in the tournament." France got on the board before the end of the first period. Nugent-Hopkins wasnt able to handle a pass in his own zone and Henderson quickly beat Dubnyk at 19:22. Eberle stretched the Canadian advantage to 5-1 on a power-play just over 13 minutes into the second but Rouleau converted a turnover just 30 seconds later. It was a big goal for the defenceman, who represented Canada at the 2003 world junior championship and received his French citizenship earlier this year. "It was strange for me at the start," said Rouleau. "During the warmup, I was looking at the other side of the ice and I was looking at the red jersey with the Maple Leaf on it. I have played for that Canadian jersey but know I am proud of wearing this blue jersey." Canada buckled down in the third period and was able to close out a comfortable win. Nugent-Hopkins and Perry added third-period goals to make it a 7-2 victory -- the same margin the Americans beat France by to open the tournament. Even though tougher games will follow, Sutter took it as a sign that the Canadian team is trending in the right direction. "The challenge is for us to be in a mindset to be mentally strong enough to understand that this isnt about our opponents were playing," said Sutter. "Its about how we have to become a team and how we have to play. ... Were on the way." Notes: Defenceman Kyle Quincey played his first game for Canada after joining the team Sunday. ... Canadian forward Jeff Skinner was credited with nine shots. ... Duncan Keith logged a game-high 20:45 of ice time ... The French federation is bidding to have Paris co-host the 2017 world championship with Berlin. Reggie Wayne Jersey . Travelzoo Inc. said most Americans plan to take a break this year but only if they can find a deal that gives them value for their money. Our travel intentions survey reported that an overwhelming majority of people will need a deal to travel in 2010, said Gabe Saglie, a senior editor at the company. Ray Lewis Jersey . Dasovic is the head coach of Canadas under-23 mens soccer team, which begins its bid for a berth in the 2008 Beijing Olympics this week in Carson, Calif. Ziggy Hood Jersey . Forecasters said the storms likely path would take it away from the site of the huge Gulf of Mexico oil spill off Louisianas coast, but added that it might push oil farther inland and disrupt cleanup efforts. This NOAA satellite image taken Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 1:45 a. Cameron Wake Jersey . The seventh-seeded Capitals earned a split of the first two games in New York, but the Rangers would gain the advantage with a victory in Wednesdays memorable Game 3. New York ultimately recorded a 2-1 victory in triple- overtime, giving the Atlantic Division champions a 2-1 edge in this series. Peyton Hillis Jersey . Rose, the first overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft out of Memphis, averaged 16.8 points, 6.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds last season en route to winning the Rookie of the Year Award.LATROBE, Pa. -- For only the second time since 1997, Pittsburgh Steelers opened training camp without Hines Ward. But as notable as the recently retired Wards absence was on Wednesday, it was a no-show by another receiver that stole the show on the annual reporting day at St. Vincent College. Restricted free agent Mike Wallaces training-camp holdout became official when he did not arrive by 3 p.m. to move into his dorm room and take part in coach Mike Tomlins conditioning test. Wallace, a starter in the Pro Bowl last season, was offered a one-year, $2.7 million tender by Pittsburgh. He has not signed it and did not take part in any of the Steelers off-season workouts or minicamp. Neither Wallace nor his agent, Bus Cook, had publicly stated whether he intended to report for the start of camp. "Obviously, we have a desire for him to be here," Tomlin said. "We want him to be part of this thing, both short-term and long-term. Weve been in negotiations with him. Hes not here today. Thats unfortunate for him." Wallace is the biggest name to hold out on the Steelers since Ward, who was unhappy with his contract in 2005. Ward ended up missing two weeks before reporting on the day of the teams first preseason game. He was signed to a four-year extension before the opener. The Steelers are hoping Wallace wont miss two weeks. He has been tightlipped throughout the off-season, and various reports Tuesday and Wednesday made it sound as if a long-term deal was imminent. But while teammates, one by one, trickled in, Wallace never made an appearance carrying pillows, clothing and luggage into the Rooney Hall dormitory. "Hes the lead dog," veteran receiver Jerricho Cotchery said. "So, when he comes in, Im pretty sure therell be a lot of time set aside for him to get up to speed. Were not worried about that. Whenever Mike gets here, hell be ready to roll." Steelers cornerback Keenan Lewis was a high school teammate of Wallaces, and the two worked out "every day" over the summer along with other players in the New Orleans area. Lewis proclaimed Wallace "in the best shape hes ever been in," and predicted he would eventually arrive at camp. "Im pretty sure hell be here," Lewis said. "Hes a football player, he loves playing the game. Im pretty sure he doesnt waant to sit out. Tim Tebow Broncos Jersey. quot; Over the first three years of his career, Wallace has 171 receptions for 3,206 yards with an average of 18.7 yards per catch. He has 24 touchdowns. Last season, Wallaces 1,193 receiving yards ranked 11th in the NFL. And his 21.0 yards-per-catch average in 2010 was tops among players with at least 50 receptions. Wallace was having one of the best statistical seasons in the NFL through eight weeks last season with 43 catches for 800 yards and five touchdowns through October. But he struggled late in the season. In fact, Wallace did not have a 100-yard game after Oct. 23 and did not have a touchdown in seven of his final eight games, including a three-catch, 26-yard performance in a 29-23 overtime playoff loss to Denver. "I want the player here," Tomlin said. "One thing experience has taught me is this is bigger than all of us. Its bigger than Mike, its bigger than me. So I mean that when I say its unfortunate for him that hes not here." Wallace wasnt the only player on the roster who did not take part in the annual camp-opening conditioning test on Chuck Noll Field. Among the group not participating were six players added to the physically unable to perform list: Linebackers James Harrison and Jason Worilds, tackle Max Starks, running back Rashard Mendenhall, nose tackle Casey Hampton and reserve safety Damon Cromartie-Smith. Tomlin said Harrisons back has fully recovered after surgery last year, but that a knee injury is limiting him now. "We dont want to take any steps backward," Tomlin said. "James has had a good off-season. We just want to make certain as we move forward." Mendenhall, Starks and Hampton each sustained torn knee ligaments late last season. Mendenhalls came in the regular-season finale, and Starks and Hampton were injured during the playoff loss. Starks became a free agent and was signed last week to compete with rookie Mike Adams for the starting left tackle job. Worilds had off-season wrist surgery. "In many instances, these might be viewed as precautionary measures," Tomlin said. "Some of these guys that are getting close to coming off of injury, we want to get them in this setting, look at them, work them out, be certain that its something thats behind us before we progress." Peyton Manning Jersey ' ' '