MIKKELI, Finland -- University of Wisconsin athlete Hilary Knight had a hand in three goals, and ex-Badgers Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej, and Erika Lawler lit the lamp as the U.S. women's national hockey team cruised to a 4-0 victory over Finland in the opening game of the Four Nations Cup.

"We saw a real good effort by everybody on the team tonight," said U.S. coach Mark Johnson, who like Knight is taking a leave of absence from the Badgers this season to prepare for the Vancouver Olympics. "It was a great way to start the tournament."

The Americans outshot Finland 19-3 in the first period and took a 1-0 lead when Monique Lamoureux scored on a 5-on-3 advantage at 13:05, pounding in a rebound from a Knight shot. She beat Finnish goalie Noora Raty -- who was in the pipes last Friday for Minnesota during a loss to the Badgers in Madison.

Lawler swatted home a rebound of a shot by former UW skater Kerry Weiland at 2:14 of the second period, and Zaugg -- trailing Knight on a rush up the right side -- knocked home Knight's rebound at 14:40.

Knight added a goal of her own at 4:56 of the third period, depositing a pass from Jenny Potter into the top right corner.

U.S. goalie Molly Schaus turned away all 15 shots on goal for Finland.

The Americans return to action Wednesday against Sweden at Vierumaki Arena at 10:30 a.m. Central time.

All U.S. games of the tournament will be offered free via live video webstream as part of U.S. College Hockey Online's Game of the Week, with Brian Schulz calling the play-by-play. Click here for more information.

Related

• Duggan, Knight lift U.S. past Canada
• Live video: U.S. women's hockey team at Four Nations Cup
• UW women's hockey: Robert Morris stuns No. 6 Badgers

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