Canada vs. Switzerland 12-0 (3-0, 5-0, 4-0) Game Sheet Photos

WINTERTHUR – Despite the score, it was a great day for Swiss hockey. Cherie Piper had a hat trick, Tessa Bonhomme had a goal and three assists, and Canada had scoring from ten different players in an easy 12-0 win over the host Swiss. But the game was played before a sold-out and boisterous Deutweg Arena crowd seeing their national women's team play on home ice for the first time. Charline Labonte made 19 saves for her fifth shutout in just eleven career World Women's Championship games. Canada fired 67 shots at the two Swiss netminders used by coach René Kammerer. As always, Piper and team were unapologetic for the one-sided score. "That’s what it’s all about – not taking things for granted," Piper explained. "We need to be prepared to play five solid games. It’s the World Championships. You can’t slack off any game if we want to build and become better. You can’t just take it easy." Canada had a nervous start and the Swiss, buoyed by the noisy fans, played sensationally. Newcomer Tara Watchorn made a terrible giveaway at the Swiss blue line that resulted in a partial breakaway, and Hayley Wickenheiser also had a bad turnover at centre ice. Goalie Charline Labonte had to make several fine saves, and Swiss captain Kathrin Lehmann played an inspired period. Of course, the inevitable had to happen because the raw difference in skill was just so much greater for Canada, which finally pulled away with three goals in the opening 20 minutes. It took more than half a period for Canada to get the game’s first, but even then it was delayed. Cherie Piper snapped a low shot through a maze of players in front to beat Florence Schelling, but it took a moment for her to realize it was in. Canada got the second goal at 16:02 while short-handed. A defensive miscue left Rebecca Johnston with the puck just inside the Swiss blue line, and she spotted Haley Irwin racing to the net. Johnston made a perfect pass, and Irwin snapped a low shot under the glove of Schelling. Just two and a half minutes later, Wickenheiser scored another goal short-handed to give Canada a solid 3-0 lead. The great and impressive start by the Swiss was a thing of the past by the time teams headed to the dressing room. Canada made it 4-0 early in the second off a great pass from Wickenheiser. Coming in on goal from the right, she deciphered a large scrum of players in front and saucered a perfect pass onto the stick of Meaghan Mikkelson who deftly directed it in the far side. A power-play goal from Gillian Apps a few minutes later put the game entirely out of reach, and two and a half minutes later Rebecca Johnston scored, resulting in Schelling being replaced by Sophie Anthamatten. Matters were enlivened later in the period as the Swiss goal repeatedly came off its weak moorings. A goal by Meghan Agosta was disallowed for this reason, and seconds later the net came off again, perhaps the seventh or eighth disruption of the period. Referee Nicole Hertich finally called maintenance crews out to fix the problem, and the men drew a loud cheer for their efforts. Anthamatten’s first shot came moments later, a rocket off the stick of Marie-Philip Poulin-Nadeau that would have been a tough stop for Martin Brodeur. Shots after 40 minutes were 50-11 in favour of Canada. Canada added a pair of goals early in the third and then the Swiss had their best chance to score thanks to a prolonged two-man advantage. Their finish around the Canadian goal wasn’t there, though, and several excellent chances were for naught. Full credit to them, though, as they played a terrific third period despite the one-sided score, and Labonte was forced to make some fine saves. Piper, meanwhile, is enthusiastic about the new blood on the team this year. "That just gives credit to our program, and with the under-18 tournament now I think it prepares kids to compete at an elite level at an earlier age. I think it’s great we have this influx of new players who can prepare before taking that next stage, the Olympics." The evening ended strangely. After Team Canada left the ice, the arena intermission m.c. came out to centre ice to tell fans that yesterday twins Julia and Stefanie Marty celebrated their 23rd birthdays. Fans then joined teammates to offer a rendition of "Happy Birthday," before everyone went home, the sting of the resounding defeat somewhat lessened. ANDREW PODNIEKS