Canada’s women’s hockey team rolls to second straight win

Hayley Wickenheiser and Cherie Piper both scored three points, as Canada dominated Switzerland 10-1 Monday in there first ever game at UBC Thunderbird Arena, in Vancouver.

Seven other skaters registered multi-point games, as Canada’s skill and supremacy was on display again, outshooting the Swiss 68-12.

For the captain, Wickenheiser, it was a milestone night.

Her third period marker tied her with former captain, and linemate Danielle Goyette as the highest scoring female in Olympics history.

Swiss goalie Florence Schelling kept the came close early, scrambling like Dominik Hasek to foil several of Canada’s quality scoring chances, and making 14 saves in the first period.

Speedy Meghan Agosta broke thru with two straight goals in the second, including a beautiful backhand to the glove-side, and Canada took charge leading 5-0.

Switzerland would manage to score its first goal of the tournament with just 14 seconds remaining in the second, as Darcia Leimgruber jumped on a deflected point shot, taking advantage of some rare poor defensive coverage in Canada’s zone.

The Swiss players erupted with joy as the goal was Switzerland’s first ever against Canada, after being outscored 25-0 in three previous meetings.

23-year-old Shannon Szabados was making her first ever Olympic start in net for Canada, and made some timely stops with the second being her busiest period. She had no chance on the goal, and remained relatively untested after that point.

Canada came out flying in the third period, continuing to show no desire to ever let up.

Jayna Hefford added her second short-handed goal of the tournament just 54 seconds in, on a beautiful breakaway effort. She also had an assist in the game moving her into the lead in tournament scoring with eight points.

Catherine Ward and Marie-Phillip Poulin also scored in the third on amazing individual efforts, and Canada cruised to victory, going 1-for-4 on the power play, while killing off five penalties.

Canada will face its first real test Wednesday against Sweden, while Switzerland will look for its first win later that evening against Slovakia.

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By: Tyler Edwards
Posted: Feb 15 2010 9:54 pm
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Filed under: Winter Games
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