Turnbull's five-point game drives Canada to rout of Swiss in Olympics opener

BEIJING — Sarah Fillier scored just 64 seconds into her Olympic debut, but she waited a lot longer than that to know her goal was Canada's first of the Olympic women's hockey tournament in Beijing.

Officials spent almost five minutes analyzing video of Fillier batting the puck out of the air and between the Swiss goaltender's legs before validating a goal that got Canada off to the races in Thursday's 12-1 victory.

"That's quite the way to make an entrance into the Olympics," Canadian forward Natalie Spooner said. "I guess then we got to celebrate twice, because we celebrated when she first scored, and then once they finally called it a goal again."

The youngest player on the Canadian team at 21, Fillier of Georgetown, Ont., produced Canada's first two goals and assisted on the third, scored by Spooner in the first period.

"In the beginning, it was just about battling the nerves," Fillier said. "I was super excited. I didn't want to have my emotions too high.

"It's the Olympics. It's exciting to be here."

Canada's veterans then filled the scoresheet with Blayre Turnbull and three-time Olympian Spooner both scoring twice and assisting on two goals.

Defender Claire Thompson posted a five-point day with a goal and four assists. Laura Stacey scored twice, with Rebecca Johnston, Ashton Bell and Erin Ambrose contributing singles for Canada.

"I think we're pretty pleased with how we executed our o-zone play tonight," Turnbull said.

Goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens made 14 saves in the victory. Her shutout bid ended with Swiss captain Lara Stalder's power-play goal in the third period after Canada had scored nine unanswered goals.

Despite 70 shots against, Swiss goalie Andrea Braendli stayed in the game when given the option to