Canada defeated Italy 5-1 Saturday in its world hockey championship opener behind a goal and assist each from Steve Stamkos, Rene Bourque and Matt Duchene.
Corey Perry opened the scoring after 2:43 on an assist by Bourque of the Calgary Flames. Michele Strazzabosco tied it 10 minutes later before Kris Russell made it 2-1 just 48 seconds before the first-period buzzer.
Duchene of the Colorado Avalanche scored five minutes into the second period, and Tampa Bay Lightning forward Stamkos made it 4-1 five minutes later, assisted by Duchene and Kyle Cumiskey. Bourque completed the scoring with less than three minutes to play.
In later games, it was Switzerland vs. Latvia and Finland vs. Denmark.
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