US beats Finland 4-0 in 1st round of 4 Nations

Associated Press

Last update: November 4, 2009 - 7:46 AM

MIKKELI, Finland - The United States beat Finland 4-0 Tuesday in the opening round of the women's Four Nations tournament behind a goal and two assists from Hilary Knight.

Olympic champion Canada defeated Sweden 4-0 in Vierumaki after two goals from Jayna Hefford.

Finland's Noora Raty saved 48 shots while Molly Schaus only had to make 15 stops.

Erika Lawler and Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej added goals in the second period, and Knight, one of five U.S. players from the University of Wisconsin, scored early in the third.

Canada's Hayley Wickenheiser had an assist on Hefford's power-play goal at 8:40 in the first period and then scored for a 2-0 lead at the halfway mark. Hefford found the net at 8:38 in the third period, and Colleen Sostorics added another in the last minute.

Canada's Kim St-Pierre got the shutout with 15 saves. Sweden's Sara Grahn stopped 38.

On Wednesday, the U.S. plays Sweden and Canada takes on Finland.

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