Canada blanks Czech Republic to finish group stage undefeated at U18 women's hockey worlds

Stryker Zablocki scored twice and Marilou Grenier made 20 saves as Canada blanked the Czech Republic 5-0 Tuesday at the under-18 women's hockey championship in Vantaa, Finland.

Canada finished the preliminary round in top spot in Group B with nine points from three regulation wins and will face Japan in Thursday's quarterfinals.

Sydney Sawyer had a goal and an assist for Canada, while Alex Therien and Anais Leprohon also scored.

"We're starting to understand that our goals aren't going to come from being fancy or skating around the perimeter," Canada head coach Vicky Sunohara said. We have been talking about attacking the middle, getting pucks through and winning net-front battles. I think we're doing a better job of getting to those areas.

'[The players] are seeing that when we do that, when we outwork their defence and their goalie, that we're having some success."