MILAN, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Canada kicked off its title defense with a 4-0 victory over Switzerland, while the United States shut out Finland 5-0 in the women's ice hockey tournament of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games on Saturday.
In Group A, Canada fought hard in the first period before finding its rhythm in the third to seal a comfortable win.
Earlier in the day, the United States mounted sustained pressure and held Finland to few shots on goal, reinforcing its status as a gold medal contender.
"Our execution was strong across all three periods," said U.S. head coach John Wroblewski. "The commitment level was there, and that's what we want to see as the tournament progresses."
Finland, playing its first game after an earlier postponement, struggled to match the pace. Captain Jenni Hiirikoski said the team would turn its focus forward.
"We have to recover, reset and be ready for the next challenge," she said.
In Group B, Germany notched a 5-2 victory over Japan, scoring three times in the opening period. Japan pushed back in the second, but Germany managed the game effectively the rest of the way.
Also in the group, Sweden showcased depth and balanced scoring in a 6-1 victory over host Italy. ■
