Canada's Gardiner posts 3 points, Campbell pitches shutout in world championship debuts

Canada launched its title defence at the women's hockey world championships by cruising past Finland 5-0 on Thursday in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.

Jennifer Gardiner scored twice and added an assist, Ella Shelton had a goal and an assist while captain Marie-Philip Poulin and Emma Maltais also scored a goal apiece in the Group A game.

Canada goaltender Kristen Campbell made 24 saves for the shutout.

Seeking its 14th title, Gardiner opened the scoring 6:02 into the first period from the left circle and Canada kept steadily increasing its lead. It was already 4-0 up when Gardiner claimed her second 18 seconds into the second period from a tight angel, forcing Finland to pull goaltender Emilia Kyrkko.

Still in the opening period, Shelton wristed a shot into the roof of the net and Poulin was fed by Gardiner with a pass from behind the goal to make it 3-0.

It was the second straight defeat for Finland, last year's bronze medallist, after a 7-1 loss to the United States on Wednesday, a sign of the gap between the two favourites for the championships and the rest of the field.

Canada next plays Switzerland on Friday at 9 a.m. ET.

WATCH | Gardiner paces Canadian attack with 3 points against Finland:

Jennifer Gardiner scores a pair in her worlds debut as Canada blanks Finland

Japan beat newly promoted Norway 4-2 at the women's ice hockey world championship on Thursday in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.

Mei Miura had a goal and an assist and Akane Hosoyamada, Rui Ukita, Riri Noro and Akane Shiga also scored for Japan in a Group B game.

Andrea Dalen and Marthe Brunvold had a goal each for Norway to mark its return to the top division after a 27-year absence.

At 1 p.m. ET, Canada opens its title defence against Finland