OSLO (Norway) - The Canadian national hockey team bounced back from an opening day 4-3 loss to Norway yesterday to shut-out France 6-0 today in action at the four-country Rimi Cup tournament in Oslo, Norway. The host country remained undefeated in the other match of the day beating Germany 3-1.

Goalkeeper Mark Cavallin of Mississauga, Ontario, earned the shut-out, stopping 19 shots, while six different scorers combined for Canada's 6-0 win over the French national team.

"This was an important win for Canada since we felt we had underachieved in our first game against Norway," said Canadian coach Tom Renney. "France beat us at last year's World Championship, and that along with our shaky start to this tournament, provided us with the necessary incentive to come out and play well."

Canada showed a lot more offence against France than they did against Norway, out-shooting the French 34-19, and beating French goalkeeper Antoine Mindjimba on a penalty-killing goal.

Canada went ahead 3-0 after the first 20 minutes on goals by Dany Bousquet, Derek Cornier and Mark Kaufmann.

Montreal's Bousquet, who scored what proved to be the winner, was assisted by team captain Brad Layzell of Beaconsfield, Quebec, at 6:29. Shediac, N.B., native Cormier combined with Calgary's Mark Askew for the 2-0 lead at 8:45. Kaufmann of Vancouver wrapped up the first period scoring at 19:03. He was assisted by Layzell and Jim Hiller of Cranbrook, B.C.

The Canadians beat Mindjimba twice in the middle frame, with the first goal of the period coming with a man short.

Defenceman Layzell capitalized on poor passing on France's part to fire a shot past Mindjimba for the 4-0 short-handed goal at 2:01 of the second. Kaufmann and Dallas Gaume, playing for Norway's Trondheim hockey club, had the helpers. Dale McTavish of Eganville, Ontario, was 51 seconds into serving a hooking penalty when the goal was scored.

McTavish returned to the ice to score his team-leading 17th goal and put Canada up 5-0 at the 8:03 minute mark of the middle period. Forward Mike Bodnarchuk of Bramalea, Ontario, and defenceman Jeff MacLeod of Dartmouth, N.S. had the assists.

Askew teamed up with Cormier to score Canada's last goal of the game at 2:23 of the third period, and Cavallin pushed back only five shots in the last period to keep his first shut-out in 16 games intact.

Canada still has a chance to win the Rimi Cup, but will need France to defeat Norway in one of two games tomorrow and Germany on Wednesday. The final standings would then be decided on goal-for and against differential between Canada, Norway and France, providing Renney's crew wins on Tuesday against Canadian expatriate George Kingston - Germany's national team coach.

Canada's 1995-96 record after 35 games stands at 23 wins, eight losses and four ties.

Rimi Cup - Oslo, Norway

February 5 - Canada 6 France 0; Norway 3 Germany 1

February 6 - Canada vs Germany; Norway vs France