BEIJING, China -- Team Canada's incredible depth was front and centre in its opening game at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, with four different players notching two goals apiece, and 12 different players notching points, en route to a huge 12-win over Switzerland during what was the early hours of the morning of Thursday, Feb. 3 on the opposite of the world where the women's hockey action is taking place through gold medal game day on Thursday, Feb. 17.
Forwards Blayre Turnbull of Stellarton, N.S., and Natalie Spooner of Scarborough, Ont., were particularly big standouts on the scoresheet for Canada, both contributing five points, Turnbull with a hat trick and two assists and Spooner with two goals and three helpers. Young phenom Sara Fillier of Georgetown, Ont., and quick-skating talent Laura Stacey were the other two Canadians to score twice, Erin Ambrose of Keswick, Ont., Ashton Bell and Rebecca Johnston of Sudbury, Ont., all added singles to the victory.
Switzerland's lone goal came from its captain, Lara Stadler, on a powerplay in the final frame, putting Canada up 9-1 as time wound down on the clock. Swiss goaltender Andrea Braendli did her part between the pipes, stopping an impressive 58 shots in three periods.
"Just to step on the ice, see the rings, be in a building with Beijing 2022 written allover it and in this black jersey, it's really cool," Olympic rookie Filler told Kenzie Lalonde of Canada's national Olympic broadcaster, CBC Sports, during the game's second intermission in Beijing.