Power play propels Canadian women to first win

MILAN — Ste. Anne’s Jocelyne Larocque had the puck on her stick, suddenly alone in the slot with a golden chance to make an immediate impact on the biggest stage in sport.

But the Canadian defender’s crisp wrist shot was turned aside by Switzerland’s sensational young goaltender, Saskia Maurer — one of 51 saves she would make Saturday night inside the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena.

Fortunately for Larocque and her Canadian teammates, they were able to generate plenty more chances. Canada fired 55 shots on goal — while surrendering just six — on its way to a harder-than-it-probably-should-have-been 4-0 win to open its pursuit of gold at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

“Our coaches do such a great job of emphasizing the important things. It’s not always just about the scoreboard. It’s about doing the right things and sticking with it. And I thought we did that,” Larocque told the Free Press following the game.

Indeed, they did just enough offensively to avoid what would have been an upset of massive proportions. Canada entered the contest with an all-time Olympic record of 5-0 against Switzerland, outscoring them 40-6, and improved to 22-0 overall in head-to-head play dating back to 1997.

Canada was originally scheduled to play its opener Thursday night before it was pushed back due to a stomach virus running through the Finnish team.

“It’s one of those things where our team talks a lot about being adaptable. When things are outside of your control, you just roll with it. It didn’t affect us at all,” Larocque said of the unexpected 48 hour delay.

Larocque is one of three Canadian players competing in her fourth Olympics, along with forwards Natalie Spooner — who scored the game’s opening goal — and Brianne Jenner. At 37 years, eight months and 18 days, she also became the third-oldest Canadian woman ever to compete at the Games.

Winnipegger Kati Tabin, meanwhile, was one of seven first-time Olympians in the lineup. She didn’t look out of place, and would have registered a first-period assist if not for another stellar stop by Maurer.

“I thought she had a great game,” said Larocque, who has become a good friend and mentor to her fellow Manitoban, who also patrols the blue-line.

“She played solid. That’s what we need from her. Our coaches and our leaders always emphasize playing to your strengths and her strength is being really hard to play against. Heavy on pucks and things like that. And she did that. That’s what she should do all tournament and I have confidence that she will.”

Sarah Fillier, Julia Gosling and Daryl Watts scored Canada’s other goals, all coming in the third period, while goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer had a relatively quiet night in recording the shutout. Her biggest save came with about six minutes remaining in the middle frame, the lead still just 1-0, when she denied a partial Swiss breakaway.

As the shot clock accurately reflected, Switzerland spent much of the game chasing the puck — and occasionally crossing the line in the process. The Swiss were whistled for five penalties, including two for illegal hits and two more for boarding.

Canada made them pay, scoring three times on the power play. That’s great, of course, but is there reason for concern about five-on-five play only resulting in a 1-0 advantage?

“There was a lot of emotion going on out there,” said head coach Troy Ryan, who believes his team can follow the lead of their official goal song which is “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet” by Winnipeg’s Randy Bachman.

“A handful of people in their first Olympics, the delay of game one. It just looked really antsy and a little bit panicky. I think it’s somewhat expected in the first game of the Olympics. Obviously if that continues it’s going to be a little bit more nerve-wracking.”

Canada will now rest Sunday before a demanding stretch of three games in four days — against Czechia on Monday night, a marquee showdown and potential gold-medal preview against the United States on Tuesday, and the rescheduled game against Finland on Thursday, before the playoffs begin next weekend.

“It’s a special group,” said Larocque, who serves as one of the team’s alternate captains and plans to savour every single second of what will surely be her final Olympics.

Her advice to first-timers like Tabin?

“I got around to all of them and was like ‘Your first Olympics! Yahh!” I still remember mine, 12 years ago. You feel so happy for them. It’s something they’ll never forget,” said Larocque.

“They should feel proud. But they should feel confident about making an impact. It’s not like you’re here just to play, you can be impactful.”

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