Olympics-Ice hockey-Sweden sail into quarters with 4-0 win over France

By Trevor Stynes and Giulio Piovaccari

MILAN, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Sweden secured their place in the Olympic women's ice hockey quarter-finals with a 4-0 win over France in Group B at Milano Rho arena on Sunday, condemning the French to their third defeat in as many games.

The Swedes have a maximum nine points after three matches to sit top of the group standings, with Germany, Italy and Japan all on three after two games.

France are bottom without a point and the top three will advance to the last eight.

France shipped three goals in the opening period with Thea Johansson, Sara Hjalmarsson and Hanna Thuvik all on target for Sweden, who added a fourth through Lisa Johansson at the start of the second period.

The French women, appearing in their first Olympics, more than held their own for the rest of the game as Sweden failed to find any further joy against goaltender Alice Philbert.

Sweden play their final preliminary round match against Japan on Tuesday with France facing Germany on Monday.

There is Group A action later on Sunday with the Czech Republic taking on Finland.

Across town at Santagiulia Arena, Canada and the United States' all-NHL teams practice for the first time ahead of the men's tournament which begins on Wednesday.