HALIFAX, Canada (AFP) - Rick Nash scored the winner with just under four minutes left as Canada edged Norway 2-1 in the qualification round of the World Ice Hockey Championships on Thursday.

The victory kept Canada's perfect record (4-0) intact but not before they were given a scare by Norway, who now have three losses to go with one victory.

Mike Green had the other goal for Canada and also set up Nash's marker with 3:58 remaining in the third in front of a crowd of 7,380 at the Halifax Metro Centre arena.

Underdog Norway was outshot 53-16, but they made defending champion Canada work for it. They also received superb goaltending from Pal Grotnes.

Mads Hansen scored the lone goal for Norway, stealing the puck at his own blueline from Canada's Duncan Keith and racing in alone on goaltender Pascal Leclaire. It was Hansen's first goal of the tournament.

Once again Canada had to be bailed out by its top line of Nash, Dany Heatley and Ryan Getzlaf. It was the same story Tuesday against the United States when when it was Heatley's turn to scored the winner in the final minute to break a 4-4 deadlock.

Norway was coming off a physical and emotional victory over Germany on Wednesday night. They upset the favoured Germans 3-2 to avoid dropping down to the relegation round of the tournament which is being hosted in Canada for the first time.

Columbus Blue Jackets star Nash scored the winner on a great individual effort. He took the short feed from Green then used a burst of speed to beat Norwegian defenceman Mats Trygg on the outside and deked goalie Grotnes.

Nash, Heatley and Getzlaf have scored nine of Canada's 19 total goals in the event.

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