Canada opened the women鈥檚 under-18 world hockey championship with a 6-2 win over Slovakia on Saturday.

Hayley McDonald, Maxine Cimoroni, Danica Maynard, Chloe Primerano, Stryker Zablocki and Kate Viel scored for the Canadians, who pulled away with four goals in the third period.

鈥淚 thought we were okay tonight, but we need to keep working hard,鈥� Primerano said. 鈥淲e did some things well, but we also need to play for a full 60 minutes.

鈥淲e can鈥檛 just play half a game, and that will be the biggest adjustment for us (on Sunday) against Switzerland.鈥�

Ema Tothova and Nela Lopusanova had the goals for Slovakia.

Canada outshot Slovakia 60-7.

In other games at the Vantaa Trio Arena, the United States blanked Japan 6-0, Czechia edged Switzerland 2-1 and Sweden beat Finland 2-1 in overtime.

Competition continues through Jan. 12.