Thunder Bay’s Amanda Makela made 24 saves as Canada opened the women’s world under-18 hockey championship with a 9-1 romp over Switzerland on Saturday.
Makela, a former Thunder Bay Queens netminder, was particularly effective in the opening period, stopping 11 Swiss shots as her Canadian teammates acclimatized themselves to the world stage in Stockholm, Sweden.
Meghan Dufault and Rebecca Kohler paced the Canucks, with two goals and an assist apiece, while Cayley Mercer also had a three-point game, scoring once and adding a pair of helpers.
Katy Josephs, Sarah Robson, Shelby Bram and Emily Fulton also scored for Canada, the defending champions.