Canada Dominates Finland in Women's Hockey World Championships Opener

CESKE BUDEJOVICE, Czech Republic – Canada began its quest to defend its title at the women's hockey world championships with a dominant 5-0 victory against Finland on Thursday. The Group A match showcased Canada's offensive prowess and solid defensive performance, setting a strong tone for the tournament.

Strong Offensive Performance

Jennifer Gardiner led the charge for Canada, scoring two goals and providing an assist in her tournament debut. The scoring began early, with Gardiner finding the net just 6:02 into the first period from the left circle. As Canada built momentum, Ella Shelton added a goal and an assist, while captain Marie-Philip Poulin and Emma Maltais each contributed a goal to the performance.

Gardiner's second goal came quickly into the second period, at just 18 seconds in, from a tight angle. This goal prompted Finland to replace its goaltender, Emilia Kyrkko, who had faced an overwhelming barrage of shots from the Canadian offense.

“I couldn’t have told me this would happen in my wildest dreams,” said Gardiner after the match, reflecting on her impactful entry into the tournament.

Defensive Excellence

Canada's defense was equally impressive, with goaltender Kristen Campbell recording a shutout with 24 saves. The ability to maintain a clean sheet against a team like Finland, who claimed the bronze medal last year, highlights Canada's strong team dynamics and preparation ahead of the tournament.

Finland, which had suffered a heavy loss to the United States earlier in the week, finds itself in a challenging position after consecutive defeats. Their opening loss against Canada and the previous 7-1 rout against the U.S. underline a significant gap between the top contenders and other teams in the tournament.

Looking Ahead

Canada is set to face Switzerland next on Friday, as they aim for their 14th world championship title. Earlier in the day, Sweden also secured a victory against newcomer Hungary, winning 2-0 in a closely contested match. Linnea Johansson broke the deadlock late in the second period and provided an assist on the second goal scored by Lina Ljungblom in the third.

In another Group B game, Japan defeated Norway 5-2, showcasing their strength as they welcome back to the top division after a 27-year hiatus.

The women's hockey world championships, featuring ten nations, serve as a crucial competition ahead of the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. With high stakes and fierce competition, all eyes will be on Canada as they aim to retain their title and showcase their world-class talent.