BEIJING, China – Sarah Fillier scored after just 64 seconds in her Olympic debut, but it took much longer for confirmation that her goal was Canada’s first at the Olympic women’s hockey tournament in Beijing.
Officials spent almost five minutes analyzing the video replay of Fillier, who kicked the puck in the air to beat the Swiss goaltender between the pads, before validating the goal that guided Canada to a crushing 12-1 victory. , Thursday.
“It’s the right way to break into the Olympics,” commented Canadian forward Natalie Spooner. We were able to celebrate twice, because we celebrated when she first scored and then again when they finally confirmed the goal. »
Fillier, Canada’s youngest player at 21, scored Canada’s first two goals and assisted on the third, scored by Spooner in the first period.
“At first it was just about getting over my nervousness,” Fillier said. I was super excited. I didn’t want to get too excited.
“It’s the Olympics. It’s exciting to be here. »
The veterans then blacked out the scoresheet, with Blayre Turnbull and three-time Olympian Spooner scoring two goals each and adding two assists.
Defenseman Claire Thompson finished the game with five points, including one goal and four assists. Laura Stacey scored twice, while Rebecca Johnston, Ashton Bell and Erin Ambrose completed for Canada.
“I think we’re pretty happy with how we executed our plan in the offensive zone,” Turnbull revealed.
Goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens made 14 saves for the win. She lost her shutout in the third period when Swiss captain Lara Stalder beat her on the power play.
Despite a 70-shot barrage, Swiss goaltender Andrea Braendli opted to stay in the game when offered the chance to be substituted in the second period, coach Colin Mueller said.
Beijing, Canada are in Group A with defending champions USA Finland, Russia and Switzerland.
Canada will face the Finns on Saturday, the Russians on Tuesday and the Americans on February 8.
Japan, Czech Republic, Sweden, Denmark and hosts China are in Group B
Canadian forward Mélodie Daoust left the ice, visibly in pain, in the second period. She was checked hard against the boards by defenseman Sarah Forster and did not return to play.
Hockey Canada said in a post-game statement that medical staff are assessing Daoust’s condition and there is no update yet for Saturday’s game.
Olympics over for Decker
In their first round robin game, a 5-2 win over Finland, the Americans lost forward Brianna Decker for the remainder of the Games.
Injured in a leg in the middle of the first period, Decker left the ice on a stretcher. A spokeswoman for the American team indicated after the meeting at the Los Angeles Times that Decker, who was participating in his third career Olympics, will no longer play in the tournament.
In other games on Thursday, the Czech Republic defeated China 3-1, while Japan beat Sweden 3-1.
