🇨🇦 Canada 5-0 Finland 🇫🇮
Four Nations Cup Preliminary Round
Stora Hallen, Nyköping 🇸🇪
Wednesday, 09 November 2011

Canada used a balanced offensive attack to defeat Finland 5-0 in Wednesday’s opening game at the 2011 Four Nations Cup women’s hockey tournament.

Five different players scored for the defending champions in the preliminary round matchup at Stora Hallen arena.

“I think it speaks to the depth that we have on our team,” said head coach Dan Church. “Almost every player on our team is a goal scorer with their club team. It’s good to see different people chipping in.”

Jennifer Wakefield gave Canada the early lead by scoring just 46 seconds into the game. Vicki Bendus added a power play goal later in the period and Jesse Scanzano made it 3-0 a few minutes later.

Meghan Agosta and Courtney Birchard added insurance goals in the second. Shannon Szabados turned aside 15 shots for the shutout, while Isabella Portnoj made 49 saves for Finland.

Canada will play the world champion Americans on Thursday before concluding the preliminary round Saturday against host Sweden. The medal games are Sunday.

Veteran forward Gillian Apps said her teammates are excited to take on their long-time rivals.

“Whether it’s at a Four Nations Cup, an exhibition game or the World Championship, it’s always a good game between Canada and the U.S.,” Apps said. “It’s why we play. It’s an absolutely amazing game to be a part of.”

Canada improved its all-time record against Finland to 53-0-1 with the victory.

Finland has narrowed the gap between the two countries over the last few years. Canada edged Finland 3-2 in their last meeting in August.

Canada has won 12 Gold and three Silver medals in Four Nations and Three Nations Cup events since the first tournament was played in 1996.

BOXSCORE
1st Period
00:46 – 🇨🇦 GOAL – Wakefield (Agosta, Hefford)
05:41 – 🇫🇮 PEN – Rajahuhta, kneeing
07:01 – 🇫🇮 PEN – Vililä, hooking
09:30 – 🇫🇮 PEN – Koivula, hooking
11:14 – 🇨🇦 PP GOAL – Bendus (Jenner, Johnston)
11:58 – 🇫🇮 PEN – Tapani, hooking
14:49 – 🇨🇦 GOAL – Scanzano (Birchard, Apps)
17:07 – 🇫🇮 PEN – Jalosuo, hooking

2nd Period
20:32 – 🇨🇦 GOAL – Agosta (Hefford, Wakefield)
27:54 – 🇨🇦 PEN – Agosta, tripping
34:31 – 🇨🇦 PEN – Poudrier, body checking
39:06 – 🇨🇦 GOAL – Birchard (Wickenheiser, Ouellette)

3rd Period
43:16 – 🇫🇮 PEN – Hiirikoski, tripping
46:00 – 🇨🇦 PEN – Bendus, tripping
50:00 – 🇨🇦 PEN – Birchard, tripping

GOALTENDERS
W: 🇨🇦 Szabados (15-15)
L: 🇫🇮 Portnoj (49-54)

SHOTS ON GOAL
🇨🇦 32+14+8 = 54
🇫🇮 2+10+3 = 15

ROSTERS
🇨🇦 Goaltenders: Charline Labonté, Shannon Szabados. Defence: Courtney Birchard, Laura Fortino, Jocelyne Larocque, Cassandra Poudrier, Lauriane Rougeau, Bobbi Jo Slusar. Forwards: Meghan Agosta, Gillian Apps, Vicki Bendus, Jayna Hefford, Haley Irwin, Brianne Jenner, Rebecca Johnston, Caroline Ouellette, Jesse Scanzano, Natalie Spooner, Jennifer Wakefield, Hayley Wickenheiser.
🇫🇮 Goaltenders: Susanna Airaksinen, Isabella Portnoj. Defence: Essi Hallvar, Jenni Hiirikoski, Mira Jalosuo, Rosa Lindstedt, Terhi Mertanen, Jutta Stoltenberg, Tea Villilä. Forwards: Venla Hovi, Michelle Karvinen, Johanna Koivula, Pia Lund, Tanja Niskanen, Annina Rajahuhta, Susanna Tapani, Nina Tikkinen, Anne Tuomanen, Minnamari Tuominen.

Article Credit: Hockey Canada