Canada opens world U18 women's hockey tourney with 4-1 victory over Hungary

VIERUMAKI, Finland - Canada opened the under-18 women's world championship with a 4-1 victory over Hungary on Saturday at the Vierumaki Areena.

Ashleigh Brykaliuk opened the scoring for Canada late in the first period. Tifani Horvath tied the game midway through the second period.

Cassidy Carels put Canada in front to stay with a short-handed goal a few minutes later. Karly Heffernan and Eden Murray added insurance goals early in the third period.

Canadian netminder Jessica Dodds made 10 saves as Canada outshot Hungary 35-11.

In other preliminary round games, Finland edged Germany 3-2, the United States dumped Russia 7-0 and Sweden defeated the Czech Republic 3-2.

Canada will play host Finland on Sunday. The playoff round begins Wednesday and the medal games are set for next Saturday.

Canada is the defending champion after winning last year's event in the Czech Republic.