BURLINGTON – Canada scored the only six goals of the opening period and cruised to a 14-1 win over Russia in the final Preliminary Round game for both teams.

With the win Canada improves to 2-1 and will likely finish second in Group A to earn a bye to the semi-finals with the United States. Russia, 0-3, must now play in the quarter-finals tomorrow.

Canada had points from 17 players. Hayley Wickenheiser had two goals and four assists while Rebecca Johnston had a goal and four assists. Natalie Spooner had a hat trick and an assist, and Jayna Heffrod had two goals and two assists.

Shots on goal favoured Canada, 41-7.

Russia's goal came on a power play midway through the final period when Angelina Goncharenko beat Charline Labonte with a shot.

Russian coach Valentin Gureyev elected to rest his number-one goalie, Anna Prugova. Instead, Valentina Ostrovlyanchik got the start but was replaced late in the first after surrendering five goals, the last a successful penalty shot by Meghan Agosta.

The quarter-finals will be played Wednesday while the semi-finals are on Friday. Both medal games are scheduled for Saturday.

ANDREW PODNIEKS