CANADA’S NATIONAL WOMEN’S UNDER-22/DEVELOPMENT TEAM BLANKS SWITZERLAND 4-0 IN PRELIMINARY ROUND OPENER AT 2013 MECO CUP

FÜSSEN, Germany – Canada’s National Women’s Under-22/Development Team is off to a good start at the 2013 Meco Cup.

Forward Sarah Lefort (Ormstown, Que./Boston University, Hockey East) scored two goals as Canada opened preliminary-round play with a 4-0 victory over Switzerland at the Füssen Arena.

“We just played with a lot of speed and intensity and we controlled the play,” said forward Jessica Campbell (Melville, Sask./Cornell University, ECAC), who had one assist.

Blueliner Brigette Lacquette (Waterhen, Man./University of Minnesota Duluth, WCHA) and fellow defenceman Laura Fortino (Hamilton, Ont./Cornell University, ECAC) had the other goals, while Christina Kessler (Mississauga, Ont./Toronto, CWHL) earned the shutout.

Sweden played Germany in the late game.

Canada was coming off an 8-1 rout of Germany in an exhibition game Wednesday, Jan. 2. Canada's next contest is against Finland on Saturday, Jan. 5.

The playoff games are set for Sunday, Jan. 6. Sweden won the Meco Cup last year while Canada settled for a third-place finish.

Canada is an eight-time gold medallist at the Meco Cup, formerly the MLP Cup and Air Canada Cup.