Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
TURIN, Italy (CP) - The Canadian women's hockey team got in an 85-minute practice Friday in preparation for its Olympic opener against Italy on Saturday.
Coach Mel Davidson's defending Winter Games champions have never played the Italians, who compete in the second tier of the annual women's world championships and got into the Olympics only because their country is the host.
A double-digit victory margin is possible, but captain Cassie Campbell said she and her teammates won't want to run up the score and embarrass the lightly regarded Italians.
Asked who on her team would be assigned to check Canadian star Hayley Wickenheiser, Italian defender Rebecca Fiorese smiled and said, "Ooh, I hope it's not me."
Canada plays Russia on Sunday and Sweden on Tuesday.
The top two teams from two groups will advance to the semifinals, and another Canada-U.S. showdown for gold is expected.
© The Canadian Press, 2006
