Ice Hockey - Canadian, U.S. women open with wins

Ice Hockey – Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Women Preliminary Round Match - Canada v Olympic Athletes from Russia - Gangneung Hockey Centre, Gangneung, South Korea – February 11, 2018 - Rebecca Johnston of Canada in action with Olympic Athlete from Russia Maria Batalova. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor

GANGNEUNG, South Korea (Reuters) - The only two teams ever to win Olympic gold medals in women's ice hockey opened their 2018 tournaments with wins on Sunday, with Canada grinding down the Russians 5-0 and the U.S. edging past Finland 3-1.

Both teams struggled to find their scoring touch early on, but Canada recovered more quickly, opening a three-goal lead in the second period on their way to an easy win. Rebecca Johnston and Melodie Daoust each scored two.

Ice Hockey – Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Women Preliminary Round Match - Canada v Olympic Athletes from Russia - Gangneung Hockey Centre, Gangneung, South Korea – February 11, 2018 - Meghan Agosta and Melodie Daoust of Canada celebrate a goal. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

The U.S. had to come from behind after Finland struck first with a goal in the final six seconds of the first period from forward Venla Hovi.

Second-period goals by Kendall Coyne and Monique Lamoureux-Morando put the U.S. on top. Their two-goal margin of victory came courtesy of a late empty netter by Dani Cameranesi with Finnish goaltender Noora Raty pulled for an extra attacker.

Sunday's result - on the scoreboard at least - was a stark contrast to the typical opening Olympic clash for the two teams.

Ice Hockey – Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Women Preliminary Round Match - Canada v Olympic Athletes from Russia - Gangneung Hockey Centre, Gangneung, South Korea – February 11, 2018 - Sarah Nurse of Canada in action with Olympic Athlete from Russia Liana Ganeyeva. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor

In the previous five openers, the U.S. had outscored their opponents by a combined 36-2 and Canada had amassed 59 goals and given up none, although the outcomes began narrowing in Sochi when the preliminary round structure was revamped to place the top teams in the same group.

"I think it is a testament to the parity within our sport and how close it's getting," Canada head coach Laura Schuler said. "You're really seeing that at the U-18 level and how close it is. It's a positive thing."

The U.S. came into the game with a scoring problem. In their last four pre-Olympic international friendlies, all against arch-rival Canada, the Americans were outscored 9-3. The two face each other again in the final round-robin game on Thursday.

Ice Hockey – Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Women Preliminary Round Match - Canada v Olympic Athletes from Russia - Gangneung Hockey Centre, Gangneung, South Korea – February 11, 2018 - Haley Irwin of Canada celebrates with team mates after scoring their second goal. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Like Canada in their game against the Olympic Athletes from Russia, the U.S. dominated time of possession and put plenty of pucks on the net - out-shooting Finland by a 42-24 margin - but struggled to capitalise.

"We believe this tournament is going to be very hard fought and it was tonight," U.S. head coach Robb Stauber said.

    "It's an absolute great way to start because you want it to be tough. It is a great indication of what it is going to take to win the Olympics."

Ice Hockey – Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Women Preliminary Round Match - Finland v U.S. - Gangneung Hockey Centre, Gangneung, South Korea – February 11, 2018 - Team USA. REUTERS/Ronald Martinez/Pool

(Additional reporting by Steve Keating; Editing by Toby Davis)

Ice Hockey – Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Women Preliminary Round Match - Finland v U.S. - Gangneung Hockey Centre, Gangneung, South Korea – February 11, 2018 - U.S. players celebrate after Kendall Coyne scored a goal. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor

Ice Hockey – Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Women Preliminary Round Match - Finland v U.S. - Gangneung Hockey Centre, Gangneung, South Korea – February 11, 2018 - Hilary Knight of the U.S. and goalkeeper Noora Raty of Finland in action. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Ice Hockey – Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Women Preliminary Round Match - Finland v U.S. - Gangneung Hockey Centre, Gangneung, South Korea – February 11, 2018 - Emma Nuutinen of Finland and goalkeeper Maddie Rooney of the U.S. in action. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Ice Hockey – Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Women Preliminary Round Match - Finland v U.S. - Gangneung Hockey Centre, Gangneung, South Korea – February 11, 2018 - Venla Hovi of Finland celebrates with team mates after scoring a goal. REUTERS/Brian Snyder