KAMLOOPS, B.C. - Defencemen Meaghan Mikkelson and Halli Krzyzaniak each scored twice to pace Canada to an 8-1 win over Russia at the women's world hockey championships Tuesday.
Trailing 1-0 after the opening period, the host country rattled off five goals in a span of four minutes 40 seconds early in the second to take a commanding lead.
Canada concludes the preliminary round against Finland on Thursday in a matchup of 1-1 teams in Pool A.
Rebecca Johnston's short-handed goal 40 seconds into the second period sparked Canada's spree. Captain Marie-Philip Poulin also scored shorthanded with Jennifer Wakefield and Emily Clark contributing even-strength goals. Brianne Jenner had four assists.
Charline Labonte picked up the win with 13 saves in front of 4,453 at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops, B.C.
Iya Gavrilova, who plays for the University of Calgary, countered for Russia. Anna Prugova was replaced by Maria Sorokina in net after giving up three goals on 16 shots. Sorokina had 17 saves and stopped Mikkelson on a penalty shot in the second period.
The U.S. improved to 2-0 in Pool A with a 2-1 win over Finland, whose goaltender Meeri Raisanen had 49 saves.
Sweden was 2-0 in Pool B after a 2-0 win over Japan, which is winless in two games. The Czech Republic upset Switzerland 3-1 to put both teams at 1-1.
