Staal earns assist in Canadian rout

Jarome Iginla scored three times and Dany Heatley scored twice and Thunder Bay’s Eric Staal earned an assist in his Olympic debut as Canada crushed Norway 8-0 on Tuesday at Canada Hockey Place in Vancouver.

Kenora’s Mike Richards, Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Rick Nash also scored for the heavily favoured Canucks, who scored their most goals in Olympic competition since NHLers were first allowed to participate in 1998.

Dryden’s Chris Pronger also picked up an assist for Canada, who will next take on Switzerland on Thursday.

Roberto Luongo, a surprise starter over veteran Martin Brodeur in the Canadian net, made 15 saves for the shutout.

In other men’s hockey action from Tuesday, Bobby Ryan, David Backes and Ryan Malone scored to lead Team USA to a 3-1 victory over Switzerland. Roman Wick scored the European nation’s only goal at 9:45 of the final frame.

Canada takes on the Swiss on Thursday.

On the slopes, Vancouver-born Maelle Ricker became the first Canadian-born woman to strike gold at the Olympics on home soil, taking top spot in the snowboard cross.

In curling, Canada’s men’s and women’s teams were victorious in their openers. Kevin Martin’s Edmonton-based rink downed an outlandishly dressed Norwegian squad 7-6 in an extra end and followed with a 9-4 win over Germany, while Cheryl Bernard’s foursome edged Switzerland 5-4.