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HELSINKI, Finland (Mar. 28) – Six days after leading the ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ Martlets to a national hockey championship, goaltender Charline Labonté helped Canada’s national women’s team get off to a winning start in pre-tournament action in preparation for the 2009 IIHF world championship.

The 26-year-old physical education junior from Boisbriand, Que., went the distance in net for Canada, making 22 saves in a 3-1 victory over the EFC Red Devils, a local Midget AAA boys team, on Saturday. Her shutout bid ended at 16:44 of the third when EFC ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ Jani Punnala was awarded a penalty shot.

Punnala fired a wrist shot just under the cross bar for the Finnish team’s lone goal.

Tessa Bonhomme of Sudbury, Ont., scored in the first period and Gillian Apps of Unionville, Ont., and Montrealer Caroline Ouellette added goals in the second.

The Canadian squad returns to action on Sunday, when it will face the Espoo Blues. Canada will play its third and final exhibition game on Tuesday against the Finnish national team.

The world championship tournament kicks off on April 4, with Canada opening the tournament versus China. Follow all of the action at .