BEIJING — A game touted to be a barometer turned into a blowout.
Finland was expected to test Canada in the Olympic women’s hockey tournament ahead of the latter’s meeting with defending champion United States.
But Canada’s relentless speed and pressure, combined with Finns suddenly minus their head coach, produced an 11-1 win for the Canadians on Saturday in Beijing.
Sarah Nurse earned her first career hat trick and Brianne Jenner also scored a trio of goals, with Sarah Fillier and Laura Stacey generating two apiece.
Jamie Lee Rattray collected her first Olympic goal and Natalie Spooner had four assists at Wukesong Sports Centre.
Canadian starter Ann-Renée Desbiens was busiest late in the third period during a Finnish two-man advantage, and made 28 saves for her second win of the tournament.
Canada, which improved to 2-0 in Pool A, has spread its combined 23 goals over two games throughout the lineup.
“Certainly don’t expect to score that many goals every game, but the way we’re getting the offence is great to see,” Jenner said.
Minnamari Tuominen scored for Finland (0-2).
Meeri Raisanen stopped 28 of 35 shots over two periods before giving way to Anni Keisala and her 11 saves in the third.
The Finns were without coach Pasi Mustonen.
He left Beijing for home Friday because of an illness in the family.
Assistant Juuso Toivola took over behind Finland’s bench Saturday.
“Our thoughts are with Pasi for sure,” Canadian head coach Troy Ryan said. “He’s always been a great opponent. Definitely thinking of him and his family at this time.”
Mustonen led Finland to some of their greatest women’s hockey successes in his eight years at the helm, including a semifinal upset of Canada in the 2019 world championship en route to a silver medal.
Finland has turned over a third of its roster since then, but they were a stouter opponent in last August’s world championship in Calgary where Canada came from behind for a 5-3 win.
The Canadians spent the six months since then honing their attack, however.
The Finns had no answer for it Saturday with turnovers and own-goals leading to their worst beating from Canada since a 15-0 decision in 2010.
“That’s maybe the strongest Team Canada I’ve ever seen,” Toivola said. “They were faster than in Calgary.”
Canada meets Russia on Monday and the United States the following day to cap the preliminary round. Japan, Czech Republic, Sweden, Denmark and host China comprise Pool B.
The quarterfinal matchups Feb. 11-12 will be: A1-B3, A2-B2, A3-B1, A4-A5. The semifinals are Feb. 14 followed by the bronze-medal game Feb. 16 and the final Feb. 17.
Canada’s women rattled off four straight Olympic hockey gold medals before falling to the Americans in a shootout four years ago in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
The Canadians showed no signs of fatigue following Friday night’s opening ceremonies.
Their captain Marie-Philip Poulin bore the Maple Leaf into the Bird’s Nest alongside short-track speedskater Charles Hamelin.
“We weren’t on our feet too much,” Jenner said. “If anything it gives you energy.
“I think we left that ceremony so inspired and I mean, being able to see Pou carry that flag in, the girls were just so excited. What a moment for her and we just loved being a part of it.”
Greasy goals off Finnish limbs and a few with flair — Rattray drove the wing and roofed a backhand upstairs — had the Canadians feeling bullish about their offence heading into the back half of the preliminary round.
“Not only do we have that offensive creativity and that offensive prowess, but we have the confidence as well,” Nurse said.
“That’s something that in years past we may have lacked a little bit, but I think you could ask all 23 of our players and all of us are very, very confident in our skills and abilities.”
Fillier scored first and fast for the second time in as many games.
After needing just 64 seconds to produce her first Olympic goal in Thursday’s 12-1 win over Switzerland, the 21-year-old shortened that interval striking 61 seconds after puck drop Saturday.
“We had a lot of goals today, but she got it started,” Nurse said. “When she steps on the ice, you know something special is going to happen.”
Canadian forward Melodie Daoust didn’t play Saturday.
Daoust skated off favouring her right arm when she was checked hard into the boards Thursday.
Her status is “day-to-day” and Daoust is expected to play again in the tournament “at some point,” Hockey Canada said in a statement before Saturday’s game.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 5, 2022.
The past weekend of football was all about the favourites.
The favoured teams went 13-1 straight up and 10-4 against the spread in the NFL. In college football, the three most teams bet at the BetMGM Sportsbook in terms of number of bets and money all won and covered. All three were favourites.
Trends of the Week
The three most bet college teams that won and covered on Saturday were Ohio State (-3.5) vs. Penn State, Indiana (-7.5) at Michigan State and Oregon (-14.5) at Michigan. Penn State has now lost seven straight home games as underdogs. The Nittany Lions were up 10-0 in the first quarter and were 3.5-point favourites at the time. The Buckeyes won 17-10.
In the NFL, the three most bet teams in terms of number of bets and money were the Washington Commanders (-4) at the New York Giants, the Detroit Lions (-2.5) at the Green Bay Packers and the Buffalo Bills (-6) vs. the Miami Dolphins. All three teams won, but only two of the three covered the spread as Buffalo beat Miami 30-27.
When it came to the players with the most bets to score a touchdown on Sunday, only two of the five reached the end zone — Chase Brown (-125) and Taysom Hill (+185). David Montgomery (-140), Brian Robinson Jr. (+110) and AJ Barner (+500) did not score.
Upsets of the Week
The biggest upset in the NFL was the Carolina Panthers coming from behind to beat the New Orleans Saints 23-22. New Orleans closed as a 7-point favourite and took in 76% of the bets and 79% of the money in against-the-spread betting. The Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen following the loss. They have now lost seven straight games after starting the year 2-0.
Arguably the biggest upset in college football was South Carolina beating No. 10 Texas A&M 44-20 at home. Texas A&M closed as a 2.5-point favourite and took in 59% of the bets and 58% of the money.
NEW YORK – Washington Capitals left-wing Alex Ovechkin, Carolina Hurricanes centre Martin Necas and Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week.
Ovechkin had a league-leading five goals and nine points in four games.
The 39-year-old Capitals captain has 14 points in 11 games this season, and his 860 career goals are just 34 shy of Wayne Gretzky’s record.
Necas shared the league lead with nine points (three goals, six assists) in three games.
Crosby factored on seven of the Penguins’ eight total goals scoring four goals and adding three assists in three appearances. The 37-year-old Penguins captain leads his team with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 13 games this season.
Crosby and Ovechkin, longtime rivals since entering the league together in 2005-06, will meet for the 70th time in the regular season and 95th time overall when Pittsburgh visits Washington on Friday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4, 2024.
TORONTO – Running back Brady Oliveira of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell are the finalists for the CFL’s outstanding player award.
Oliveira led the CFL in rushing this season with 1,353 yards while Mitchell was the league leader in passing yards (5,451) and touchdowns (32).
Oliveira is also the West Division finalist for the CFL’s top Canadian award, the second straight year he’s been nominated for both.
Oliveira was the CFL’s outstanding Canadian in 2023 and the runner-up to Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for outstanding player.
Defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund of the Montreal Alouettes is the East Division’s top Canadian nominee.
Voting for the awards is conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada and the nine CFL head coaches.
The other award finalists include: defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal linebacker Tyrice Beverette (outstanding defensive player); Saskatchewan’s Logan Ferland and Toronto’s Ryan Hunter (outstanding lineman); B.C. Lions kicker Sean Whyte and Toronto returner Janarion Grant (special teams); and Edmonton Elks linebacker Nick Anderson and Hamilton receiver Shemar Bridges (outstanding rookie).
The coach of the year finalists are Saskatchewan’s Corey Mace and Montreal’s Jason Maas.
The CFL will honour its top individual performers Nov. 14 in Vancouver.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31.
