Canada 2 - Sweden 0

Exhibition
Friday, February 3, 2006
Val Pellice, ITA

TORRE PELLICE, ITALY – On the day the Olympic torch passed down the main road in mid afternoon, Torre Pellice was full of Olympic spirit as over 2,300 fans came out to watch the pre-Olympic exhibition game between Canada and Sweden.

Canada started the period with two breakaways in the opening three minutes, but were unable to beat Kim Marti’n in net for Sweden. The only goal of the period came when Canadian forward Jennifer Botterill forced a turnover deep in the Swedish zone and set up Jayna Hefford three and a half minutes into the first. Canada out shot Sweden 16-3 in the first period with Canadian goalie Charline Labonte forced to make one key save off a shot from the low slot.

The second period started with a Swedish power play after a call late in the period against Canada’s Hayley Wickenheiser, which was killed off. Then it was Canada’s turn with the player advantage, which they capitalized on when power forward Gillian Apps was able to fight off a defender in the slot and bury a rebound from her backhand while be hauled down to the ice to give Canada a 2-0 lead. Charline Labonte was replaced by Kim St-Pierre in net for Canada 11:01 in to the period after registering one save in the second period for a total of four saves in 31 minutes of play. Canada successfully killed of a 5-on-3 advantage late in the second period and held a 2-0 lead heading into the final period.

The third period was scoreless and fairly even as Canada had a slim lead on shots out shooting Sweden 9-6. Kim St-Pierre came up with a big save early in the period and managed to keep Sweden off the score sheet. Canada out shot Sweden 40-12 for the game, and Charline Labonte registered the win for Canada.

Team Canada will practice once more on Saturday in Torre Pellice before moving to the athlete’s village on Sunday.