Canada beats Russia 5-1 at women’s hockey worlds in Finland

ESPOO, Finland (AP) — Natalie Spooner scored a hat trick for Canada in a costly 5-1 victory over Russia on Monday at the women’s world hockey championship.

Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin reinjured her left knee late in the first period. She limped to the dressing room in pain and did not return.

Spooner also assisted on Blayre Turnbull’s goal. Rebecca Johnston had Canada’s other goal. Russia’s Liana Ganeyeva scored on a power play early in the third period.

Canada pulled even with Finland at 2-1 in Group A. Defending champion United States (3-0) is assured first place in the pool.

Canadian goalie Genevieve Lacasse made seven saves in her first start of the tournament. Canada scored five straight goals over two periods and held the Russians to no shots in the second.

In other games, Finland downed winless Switzerland 6-2; the Czech Republic topped Group B at 3-0 following a 3-1 victory over Japan; and France earned its first win, edging Germany 3-2 in overtime.

Russia goalie Anna Prugova was replaced by Nadezhda Morozova after Turnbull’s goal at 6:22 of the second period.

Poulin injured her knee Feb. 24 playing in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League. After taking part in warmups for two games at the worlds, Poulin was on the ice for Canada’s first shift Monday. But her left knee buckled going into the boards with Olga Sosina late in the period.

Anna Shokhina returned to Russia’s lineup after serving a two-game suspension for a kicking infraction at the end of last year’s Olympic bronze-medal game.