U.S. women beat Canada, 5-1, in pre-Olympic hockey

TORONTO — Five players scored goals as the U.S. women’s hockey team defeated Canada, 5-1, on Thursday night in Calgary to end a three-game losing streak against their biggest rivals.

Both teams are preparing for the Sochi Olympics, to be held in February. Canada is the defending Olympic champion.

The teams faced off a few hours after Team Canada Coach Dan Church unexpectedly resigned for what were termed “personal reasons.”

Team USA’s first goal was scored on the power play by Alex Carpenter, daughter of former King Bobby Carpenter. Brianna Decker, Meghan Duggan (also on the power play), Hilary Knight and defenseman Megan Bozek (empty net) scored the other goals.

Team Canada lost its captain, Hayley Wickenheiser, to a lower-body injury early in the game. Wickenheiser, considered perhaps the top female player ever, did not return. The telecast on Canada’s TSN network was unable to provide more details.

The U.S. and Canada will meet three more times before the Olympics: Dec. 20 at Grand Forks, N.D., Dec. 28 at St. Paul, Minn., and Dec. 30 at Toronto.

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