Canadian goaltender Kristen Campbell to get 1st world-championship start

Goaltender Kristen Campbell will start for Canada in its women's world hockey championship opener Thursday against Finland.

Campbell's first start in a world championship will be the third of her career with the national team, and eighth appearance in a game for Canada.

The 27-year-old from Brandon, Man., has been Canada's third goalie in the last four world championships and the 2022 Olympic Games.

Canada's head coach Troy Ryan said Wednesday he wants to give Ann-Renee Desbiens, Canada's starter in those finals, more time to get game ready.

Desbiens missed the Montreal Victoire's last three PWHL games before the international break because of a lower-body injury.

The 30-year-old was a full participant in Canada's back-to-back skates Tuesday and Wednesday in Ceske Budejovic, Czechia

"It's not necessarily injury related. In my mind, it's more preparation to get her sharp," Ryan said.

"I don't think this injury has changed our perception of what Ann can bring to this. She's played a lot of the key moments for us and will continue to in this event as well."

Emerance Maschmeyer, Canada's No. 2 in recent tournaments, was left off the world championship roster after sustaining a lower-body injury in a March 11 game with the Ottawa Charge. She was placed on long-term injury reserve.

University of Minnesota-Duluth sophomore Eve Gascon of Terrebone, Que., drew in on the national team for the first time in her career.

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Canada faces Switzerland on Friday. The defending champions conclude the preliminary round with another back-to-back Sunday and Monday against the United States and host Czechs respectively.

Campbell is