CANADA WINS GROUP B WITH SOLID WIN OVER SWEDEN, SEMI-FINALS ARE UP NEXT

Sweden’s head coach Peter Elander decided to go with Cecilia Anderson in net, instead of Kim Martin, recognized as one of the top young goaltenders in the World.  That being said, the former Concordia Stinger Anderson has come up with some good efforts against Canada, especially this year.

Gillian Apps used her size to her advantage to score Canada’s first goal.  Apps stationed herself in front of Swedish netminder Cecilia Anderson, and jammed away at a loose puck until she beat her, giving Canada a 1-0 lead at 4:36 of the opening period.

Anderson held strong as Canada continued to carry the play throughout the first period, but was handcuffed by a Hayley Wickenheiser drive at 12:28, as Canada took a 2-0 lead.

Kim St-Pierre was mostly inactive in the first with Canada getting a 21-4 shot advantage, but a late Swedish flurry came close to making things interesting.  St-Pierre made a great save on a Nanna Jansson only, then could only watch Pernulla Winberg bank the puck off the side of the net as she dived back into position, with less than two minutes to play in the first frame. Then veteran and Sweden’s captain Maria Rooth found the post behind St-Pierre right off a faceoff, allowing Canada to escape to the dressing room with a 2-0 advantage.  .

But Sweden couldn’t maintain that momentum after the break.  At 3:58 of the second, during a powerplay, Anderson couldn’t control Cherie Piper’s blast from the point, and Apps was there to push the puck over the goal line.

Apps completed the hat trick, at 10:58, one-time a Wickenheiser pass behind Anderson.  Danielle Goyette added a powerplay marker in the second, deflecting a Piper shot while providing the screen. 

Canada allowed its first goal of the event in the middle frame, as a shot by Ylva Lindberg was directed a couple times, and eluded St-Pierre.  Katie Weatherston restored Canada’s five-goal cushion then Jayna Hefford added another, as Canada headed into the third period with a 7-1 lead.

A second power play goal by Goyette in the third, made the final 8-1 Canada.

The line of Apps, Wickenheiser and Cherie Piper has now amassed a total of 3` points, including 13 goals, at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games.

Canada will face the loser of the Finland/USA game on Tuesday night, a game which will determine 1st and 2nd place in Group B.

PLAYERS TO WATCH ON TEAM CANADA
Defencemen Becky Kellar and Cheryl Pounder are Canada’s shut-down pair of blueliners. They play as physical as any defencemen in women’s hockey and Sweden will be hard-pressed to create offence when these two veterans are on the ice.

The line of Danielle Goyette, Vicky Sunohara and Cassie Campbell has combined for 48 gold medals in international competition. This line of veterans os persistent on the forecheck, and could make life very difficult on Sweden’s young defence. Between the three players, they played in over 450 international games.

Young forward Gina Kingsbury is a relentless forechecker and backchecker, who takes advantage of her great skating ability. An adept stickhandler and passer, Sweden will have to take notice of Kingsbury in both ends of the rink. Playing with rookies Meghan Agosta and Katie Weatherston, they make up Canada’s ‘Kid Line’, but are playing well beyond their years.

PLAYERS TO WATCH ON TEAM SWEDEN
Goaltender Kim Martin is considered one of the top goaltenders in the World, and can steal a game for Sweden, given the right circumstances. Martin is a veteran of international play at the tender age of 20, having made her debut at the 2001 World Championship, when she was only 15 years old.

Veteran Maria Rooth alternates between defence and forward, and excels at both. Rooth turned 27 on February 11th, and is the undisputed leader of this team, both on and off the ice. Her leadership will be paramount to Sweden returning to the medal podium

Power forward Erika Holst takes advantage of her size (5’10, 181 lbs) and skill to create havoc in the offensive zone. Holst’s physical presence make her a challenge to contain in front of the net, where she will be taking residence during power players.

Gunilla Andersson is Sweden’s offensive catalyst at the point. Andersson registered 27 shots on goal at the 2005 World Championship and will be running the power play along with Rooth from the back end.