Canada scored two power-play goals and easily beat Switzerland 4-0 in its first game at the World Women’s Hockey Championship on Wednesday in Brampton, Ont.
Defending champion, Canada has never missed a podium and is looking for a 13e world title. Switzerland, who won bronze in 2012, hope to improve on their fourth position from the last two editions.
Natalie Spooner, Sarah Nurse, Rebecca Johnston and Sarah Fillier scored for Canada, which outshot 49-12. The Canadians also shot at the net 25 times in the third period, against only once for Switzerland.
Canada started the game strong, but quickly had to deal with three penalties, including 65 seconds shorthanded at five on three.
With the penalties over, Spooner gave Canada the lead after 11:42 of play, beating goaltender Andrea Braendli with a wrist shot.
Spooner is competing in his ninth championship and his first since the birth of his son, Rory, on Dec. 6.
Nurse doubled Canada’s power play lead 14:27 into the game.
The Canadians scored another power play goal at 1:44 of the second period. Johnston took advantage of an open net to make it 3-0. Braendi was taken out of position after a stoppage against Jamie Lee Rattray.
After trailing 9-8 in shots in the first period, Canada outshot the following period 16-2. The Canadian team then shot 11 times in the third period before seeing Switzerland take their first shot of the 20th.
Fillier scored Canada’s fourth goal after 14:07 of the 19e team shot in the third period.
Ann-Renée Desbiens, for her part, made the shutout.
Canada’s next match is Friday against the Czech Republic.