Wickenheiser on target as Canada cruise past Switzerland

 MEGHAN Agosta was on the goal trail once again as Canada's women's ice hockey team hit double figures for the second match running as they seek a third consecutive Olympic crown.

SHARPSHOOTER: Fresh from her hat-trick against Slovakia, Meghan Agosta bags two in another convincing victory for Canada (Getty Images)

Agosta bagged twice while eight other members of the formidable Canadian squad ensured the hosts followed up their opening 18-0 win over Slovakia with a 10-1 victory over Switzerland.

There was to be no Olympic record this time out, but still the defending champions set about their task with intent.

"We played fine, we didn't battle as hard as we could. Our job was to win the hockey game and we did," said Canada coach Melody Davidson."
 
And Davidson had a few choice words for the critics who accused her team of lacking class after drubbing Slovakia 18-0.

"It's definitely mentally hard," she added. "They care what Canadians and the world thinks of them. All we hear is about how we're classless and disrespectful. It's a no-win situation."

Gillian Apps got the ball rolling on six minutes and from there onwards Canada did not look back. Sarah Vaillancourt made it two in the first period but perhaps the biggest shock was that the hosts were not further ahead at the first interval.

Agosta came to the fore in the second period and took her Vancouver 2010 tally to five with a quick-fire double after Cherie Lee Piper had made it three.

Darcia Leimgruber then pulled a goal back for the Swiss, sparking wild scenes of celebrations but in the third period, Canada turned the screw.

Jayna Hefford, who also bagged three against Slovakia, grabbed her first of the night before goals from Catherine Ward, Marie-Philip Poulin-Nadeau and Rebecca Johnston before captain Haley Wickenheiser, who failed to score against Slovakia, rounded off a convincing win.

AS IT HAPPENS: Day four from the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver