FRIBOURG, Switzerland (AP) — Canada scored five goals in the final period against Denmark and Sidney Crosby assisted on four of them in a 5-1 victory at the ice hockey world championship on Monday.
The Group B game in Fribourg was a rematch of last year’s quarterfinal when Denmark stunned star-studded Canada 2-1 and ended its quest for a 29th title.
This time Canada left it till late to translate its dominance into goals.
The Canadians needed 28 shots to break the deadlock despite Denmark goalie Nicolaj Henriksen playing his maiden game at the worlds.
Porter Martone scored the opener 28 seconds into the third period on a cross-goal pass by Crosby to put the favorite ahead.
Gabriel Vilardi doubled the advantage 3:02 into the frame and Denton Mateychuk buried a rebound 31 seconds later to make it 3-0 after Crosby set him up.
Ryan O’Reilly and Parker Wotherspoon finished the scoring with a goal each after Crosby found them unmarked in front of the net.
Teenage captain Macklin Celebrini had two assists and Jet Greaves stopped 15 shots.
Nick Olesen had the lone lone goal for Denmark.
It was the third straight win for Canada after dispatching Sweden 5-3 and Italy 6-0.
Canada next plays Norway on Thursday.
