Canada beats Finland 5-0 in Olympic women’s hockey

Emily Clark scored twice for Canada in a 5-0 win over Finland in Olympic women's hockey Thursday.

MILAN – Emily Clark scored twice for Canada in a 5-0 win over Finland in Olympic women’s hockey Thursday.

Kristin O’Neill had a goal and an assist, and Jenn Gardiner and Darryl Watts added singles for Canada.

Ann-Renée Desbiens posted a 17-save shutout in her third start in four days. Julia Gosling and Laura Stacey each had two assists.

Sanni Ahola stopped 18 shots for the Finns in a penalty-free game.

Canada (3-0-0-1) finished second in Group A for a quarterfinal date with Germany on Saturday, when Finland takes on Switzerland.

Canada’s captain Marie-Philip Poulin was held out of Thursday’s game after sustaining a lower-body injury early in Monday’s 5-1 win over the Czechs. She didn’t play in Tuesday’s 5-0 loss to the United States.

While head coach Troy Ryan said he was optimistic his captain would play again in the tournament, he’s cautious with a player he will need in elimination games.

Undefeated U.S. faces host Italy and Czechia meets unbeaten Sweden in Friday’s quarterfinals. All five countries in Group A and the top three in Group B advanced.