2004-05 National Women's Team

Canada 13 Kazakhstan 0

Preliminary Round
April 03, 2005
Cloetta Center, Linkoping, SWE

LINKOPING, SWEDEN – Team Canada played its first game of the tournament against Kazakhstan on Sunday. This was only the third time these two teams have faced each other, with Canada winning the previous two handily.

Canada opened the scoring on a goal by Hayley Wickenheiser half way through the period. Canada then converted on their second power play of the period, when Kelly Bechard ripped one from the point that beat a screened Kazakhstan netminder to put Canada up 2-0. Wickenheiser scored her second of the period on a nifty feed by rookie Sarah Vaillancourt to give the red and white a 3-0 lead. Canada continued to pour on the offense as Gina Kingsbury deflected home a Becky Kellar point shot. Canadian netminder Kim St-Pierre had a fairly lonely period as Kazakhstan was unable to produce a shot on net.

Despite being out shot 20-0 in the first period, Kazakhstan came out for the second period and tried to tighten up defensively. Canada took a tripping penalty at the end of the first period, so Kazakhstan started the period on a power play, but they were unable to convert. Caroline Ouellette scored Canada’s fifth goal as she walked out of the corner untouched, and shelved a beautiful shot past the glove hand of a helpless Kazakhstan goaltender. With Canada up on a 5-3 advantage, Cherie Piper slipped a point shot that trickle through the overworked netminder to give Canada a 6-0 lead. Rookie Sarah Vaillancourt scored her first ever World Championship goal as she went upstairs on a sprawled out goalie. Assistant captain Vicky Sunohara was able to burry one after a prolonged scramble in front of the Kazakhstan net to add to Canada’s increasing lead. The eighth goal spelled the end of the night for Natalya Trunova, and Kazakhstan brought in 15 year old Eykaterina Ryzhova to see if she could stop the bleeding. Vaillancourt gave the new goalie a rude awakening as she blasted one past the new netminder for her second of the night in her debut appearance. The final goal of the period will have historic value as Hayley Wickenheiser set up Correne Bredin which gives Wickenheiser her 200th career point.

With a 10 goal lead heading in to the final 20 minutes, Canada was focusing on puck possession and completing passes accurately. Danielle Goyette scored her first of the night to put Canada ahead 11-0 in the first 2 minutes of the third. Kazakhstan had only registered one shot on net, which happened to be an icing attempt that hit Kim St-Pierre. Cheryl Pounder and Jayna Hefford added singles as Canada completed a 13-0 victory. The line of Hayley Wickenheiser, Danielle Goyette, and first timer – Sarah Vaillancourt combined for 14 points on the night. Sarah Vaillancourt was named as Canada’s player of the game.

Canada’s next game will be tomorrow (Monday) against Russia at 8pm (local). This game can be seen live on TSN, check your local listing for details.