2009-10 National Women's Team

CANADA PULLS AWAY LATE IN BIG WIN OVER NORTHSTARS

CALGARY, Alta. – This time, there would be no third period comeback for the Calgary Northstars.

Nine days after blowing a 3-1 third period lead to the Northstars before finally prevailing in a shootout, Canada’s National Women’s Team used the final frame to increase their lead on Thursday night, routing Calgary 7-1 at Father David Bauer Olympic Arena.

The trio of Meghan Agosta (Ruthven, Ont.), Jayna Hefford (Kingston, Ont.) and Caroline Ouellette (Montreal, Que.) combined for seven points as Canada earned its tenth NWT Midget Series win, running its record to 10-5 against AMHL competition.

Hefford led the way with two goals and an assist, while Ouellette had a goal and a helper and Agosta two assists. Haley Irwin (Thunder Bay, Ont.) and Sarah Vaillancourt (Sherbrooke, Que.) also had multiple-point nights for Canada, which equaled its biggest Midget Series offensive output.

It would not take long for the Canadians to strike, as a point shot from Meghan Mikkelson (St. Albert, Alta.) found its way through traffic and past Northstars goaltender Kenny Cameron for a 1-0 lead just 2:25 after the opening face-off.

Brodie Eisbrenner brought Calgary even just past the nine-minute mark of the period, taking a pass from Phil Dillon and beating Canadian netminder Kim St-Pierre (Châteauguay, Que.) under the cross bar, but the tie game would last just 37 seconds, as Hayley Wickenheiser (Shaunavon, Sask.) took a pass in the slot and beat Cameron with a perfect shot to the far side.

Hefford, who had racked up 13 goals and 23 points in 15 Midget Series games coming in, showed why her name is atop the Canadian scoring list, beating a Calgary defender wide and outwaiting Cameron before tucking the puck in for the 3-1 goal early in the second period.

That would be the only goal of the middle frame, although the Northstars pressed late after Canada had replaced St-Pierre with Shannon Szabados (Edmonton, Alta.) between the pipes.

With the Nov. 24 third period collapse likely on their minds, Canada came out flying the final 20 minutes, extending the lead to 5-1 before the midpoint of the period on goals from Vaillancourt and Rebecca Johnston (Sudbury, Ont.), before Hefford and Ouellette finished off their strong games with late goals.

Szabados turned aside all 16 shots she faced, upping her save percentage to a remarkable .956 in six appearances.

Canada makes its first foray in Junior A hockey on Saturday night, taking on the Calgary Canucks (7:30 p.m. MT) at Max Bell Centre before getting back to Midget Series action against the UFA Bisons on Monday, December 7 (7:30 p.m. MT) at Father David Bauer Olympic Arena.

Goals/Buts:
03:11 CAN Rebecca Johnston (Haley Irwin, Sarah Vaillancourt)
09:33 CAN Sarah Vaillancourt (Haley Irwin)
13:39 CAN Caroline Ouellette (Meghan Agosta)
17:13 CAN Jayna Hefford (Cherie Piper, Caroline Ouellette) PP/AN

Penalties/Punitions:
14:49 NOR Jared Van Ree (Body-checking/Mise en échec corporelle)
15:27 NOR Brendan Santani (Elbowing/Donner du coude)
15:56 NOR Bench/Banc (Unsportsmanlike Conduct/Conduite antisportive)
19:34 NOR Logan Wall (Body-checking/Mise en échec corporelle)
19:34 CAN Caroline Ouellette (Roughing/Rudesse)