URL:http://www.thestar.com/thestar/editorial/sports/970402SPB2_SP-NUADAMS2.html

Canada dominates Russia, locks up shot at Olympics

By Alan Adams - Toronto Star Sports Reporter

KITCHENER - One goal down, one to go.

It was no great surprise that the Canadian women's hockey team
clinched a berth at the 1998 Winter Olympics, thanks to a 9-1 victory
over Russia last night.

Now all that remains for Canada to accomplish is a fourth straight
world title.

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Canada 9, Russia 1
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But before that happens, the Canucks would like to face an opponent
who could make it interesting for them.

``Maybe Saturday,'' coach Shannon Miller said, referring to the
semifinals.

Last night's victory assures Canada can finish no worse than second in
their pool. The top two in each of two pools qualify for the Olympics
in Nagano, Japan. China also clinched an Olympic berth yesterday,
beating Switzerland 11-3.

For the second straight night, the Canadians were in control from the
opening faceoff.

The three-time world champions have outscored opponents 15-1 and
outshot them 117-12 in two games, including last night's 56-7 margin.

The effort against the Russians looked a lot like Canada's 6-0 win
over Switzerland in Monday's tournament opener, stopping their
opponents from taking a shot in the first period.

But unlike the game against the Swiss, the Canadians buried their
chances. They were ahead 3-0 after the first period, during which they
had two goals by Danielle Goyette called back, and 6-0 after two.

The score was 9-0 when Maria Misropian ended Canada's shutout run at
108 minutes, 33 seconds, when her floater from the point dipped and
beat goalie Lesley Reddon at 8:33.

Janya Hefford of Kingston, Scarborough's Vicky Sunohara and Luce
Letendre of Brossard, Que., scored in the first period.

The first Russian shot came off the stick of Ekaterina Pashkevish at
3:10 of the second period. Her weak 15-foot wrist shot was easily
handled by Reddon.

On the next Canuck rush, the Russians got caught on a bad line change
that resulted in a 5 on 1 situation, but the Canadians failed to take
a shot on net. The puck wound up behind the goal and when it made its
way in front, Stacy Wilson scored from close in at 3:52.

Laura Schuler of Scarborough and Hayley Wickenheiser of Calgary netted
goals in the second, while Karen Nystrom of Scarborough, Goyette of
St-Nazaire, Que., and France St-Louis of St-Hubert, Que., scored in
the third.

Sunohara thought the Russians put up a good fight.

``They are tough along the boards and they skate well and have good
puck control,'' she said.

In other games yesterday, Sweden and Norway tied 2-2 and Finland tied
the U.S. 3-3.

Today is a rest day. Canada takes on China tomorrow.

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