Canada eases past Switzerland in men’s hockey opener

Rene Bourque scored twice and Ben Scrivens stopped 28, as Canada wins game 1 of the Pyeongchang Olympics 5-1 over Switzerland.

Team Canada got off to a strong start in its preliminary-round opener at the Pyeongchang Games, beating Switzerland 5-1.

Two goals from Rene Bourque and Wojtek Wolski – along with a power-play marker from Maxim Noreau – paced the Canadians, who face the Czech Republic on Friday.

Simon Moser beat Canadian starter Ben Scrivens on a third-period power play for Switzerland’s lone goal.

Canada enters the tournament having won the previous two Olympic tournaments.

Scrivens made 28 saves for the win, while Leonardo Genoni picked up the loss.

Genoni was pulled after allowing four goals on eight shots. Jonas Hiller made 15 saves in relief, as Canada scored an empty-netter for its fifth goal.

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