Team Canada U Sports all-stars (from left to right) Alexis Larson, Kaitlin Willoughby, Mélodie Bouchard and Alanna Sharman celebrate a goal against Great Britain. Canada is undefeated in pool play at the Winter Universiade in Almaty, Kahzakstan. (Courtesy of U Sports)

Canada’s women’s hockey team has amassed 23 goals through two games and remains undefeated at the 28th Winter Universiade in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

After opening competition with a 9-1 win over China, the U Sports all-stars blanked Great Britain 14-0 on Monday. 

Michelle Sluys (Clinton, Ont./University of Waterloo) earned the shutout as Canada outshot their inexperienced opponents 77-0, including a 37-shot first period.

“In a game like this, you try to work on your systems. We have to keep in mind we have a new group together at these Games,” said Canadian coach Rachel Flanagan (Oshawa, Ont./University of Guelph). “It was an opportunity to work on our own game. It’s about sticking to our game plan and executing well on special teams.”

Maude Laramée (Gatineau, Que./Université de Montréal) and Alexandra Labelle (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que./Université de Montréal) collected five and four points, respectively, while Mélodie Bouchard (Sept-Îles, Que./Ottawa University) had a hat trick to follow-up on her two-goal, two-assist performance against China. 

“It’s always nice to get a win. It’s good for the confidence, we get to know each other more in the offensive end,” said Alexis Larson (Weyburn, Sask./University of Regina), who chipped in from the back end with a goal and two assists. “Regardless of the score, it’s an honour any time you get to put on the Canadian jersey.”

Canada will wrap up Group A pool play on Wednesday (9 a.m. EST) against Kazakhstan, who beat Great Britain 11-0 in their opening game.

Russia, who defeated Canada for the gold medal at the last Universiade, opened their competition with a 7-1 win over the U.S.

All women’s hockey games in Almaty are streamed live on www.livefisu.tv.