Music: {allcanada} Canada rout France in Helsinki

Monday, May 7, 2012

{allcanada} Canada rout France in Helsinki

Vancouver Olympic champions Canada recorded their second win at the world ice hockey championship by thrashing France 7-2 here on Monday.

Chicago Blackhawks striker Patrick Sharp collected a goal and four assists, while Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Dallas Stars striker Jamie Benn both scored doubles, allowing Canada to add three points to their balance.

"When you're winning the game 7-2, there are some positive signs for the winners," said Canada's manager Brent Suter.

"France played hard but our strength was shown here tonight. It's a big win for us as we needed to respond well after losing the US game."

Canada got off to a lively start, taking the lead 1:59 into the match through Nugent-Hopkins, who redirected Sharp's short right-handed cross into the net.

Sharp added a powerplay goal half-way through the first period, while Benn notched a double to give the Canadian team -- seeking their first world title since 2007 -- a commanding 4-0 lead.

Brian Henderson reduced the arrears with 38 seconds remaining before the first interval, scoring with an unopposed close-range shot after a mix-up in the Canadians' defence.

In the second period, Edmonton Oilers' Jordan Eberle made it 5-1 for Canada on powerplay but France replied with a goal by Alexandre Rouleau, who scored after another display of carelessness in the Canadian defence.

Nugent-Hopkins scored his second of the match half-way through the third period, while Corey Perry of Anaheim Ducks rounded off the scoring with 7:41 to go.

"We're going into every game trying to win it but against Canada and some big countries, we just need to keep the score down as we are not a big goal-scoring team," said French manager David Henderson.

"We have to play simple and disciplined hockey. We have to learn from today's match. And I hope my players will learn that we should do exactly what we decided in the dressing room before the match."