U.S. National Hockey Team Wins Opener at World Championships

The World Hockey Championships opened Monday and the U.S. national team started fast with a 5-1 victory over France at Canazei, Italy.

“We wanted to establish physical superiority, to let them know we were stronger and at the same time quick,” said U.S. Coach Ron Wilson, coach of the Mighty Ducks. “I think they backed off considerably. That’s NHL hockey.”

Goalie Guy Hebert, one of six Mighty Ducks on Team USA, stopped 30 shots. John Lilley, who played on the U.S. Olympic team before joining the Ducks, had a goal. Florida’s Bill Lindsay scored twice.

In other games, Finland managed a 4-4 tie with the Czech Republic after the Kings’ Jari Kurri scored with 27 seconds left; Canada beat Italy, 4-1; Sweden was tied by Norway, 3-3, and Austria and Germany tied, 2-2.