Canada's 3-0 victory over Switzerland at the Women's World Hockey Championship on Friday was thanks to its connection to PWHL Toronto.
Emma Maltais and Sarah Nurse scored Canada's first two goals, and Natalie Spooner assisted on both goals. The trio of forwards are Toronto teammates in the first year of the new Women's Professional Hockey League.
Sarah Fillier added an empty-net goal for Canada.
PWHL Ottawa's No. 1 goaltender, Emerance Maschmeyer, made 17 saves and a shutout in her first start for Canada in the tournament (2-0), 24 hours after defeating Finland in a 4-1 decision. He won his second game in a short time. The night before.
WATCH | Canada beats Switzerland to remain undefeated:
Canada defeated Switzerland 3-0 in the Women's Hockey World Championship, moving to 2-0.
Switzerland were still looking for their first goal of the tournament after two games. Ohio State graduate Andrea Brendli stopped 43 of 45 shots after making 51 saves in a 4-0 loss to the United States.
Canada head coach Troy Ryan continued to make it easier for captain Marie-Philippe Poulain to participate in the tournament by limiting his playing time. Poulin missed PWHL Montreal's final three games before the international break due to an undisclosed injury.
Canada led 2-0 at the period break and outscored Switzerland 31-7 after two periods. Switzerland didn't have a shot on net until Canada took a roughing penalty 16 minutes into the first period.
Switzerland had a 90-second 5-on-3 play early in the second half when Nurse and Renata Fast both scored hanging penalties, but they didn't turn into goals.
WATCH | For Fillier, playing in the PWHL would be a “dream come true.”
The 23-year-old forward from Georgetown, Ont., said he has watched nearly every game and is excited to be in the league next season.
With Spooner racing through the offensive zone, Nurse took advantage of Swiss captain Lara Stalder's scoring on the boards and tipped the puck over Brendli at 7:46 of the first period.
Spooner drove into the net from a corner kick, and Maltais potted the rebound 70 seconds after the first encounter for his second goal of the game.
The top five seeds in Group A and the top three teams in Group B of the tournament will advance to the quarterfinals on April 11. The semi-finals will be held on April 13th and the medal games will be held on April 14th.
The Canadian team won 12 gold medals in the 22 tournaments held and reached the finals in all but one tournament.
WATCH | CBC Sports' Hockey North previews the world of women's hockey.
Host Rob Pizzo joins Carissa Donkin to preview the IIHF Women's Hockey World Championship in Utica, New York.
