2014 4 Nations Cup

SAULNIER AND RATTRAY SCORE IN DEBUT AS CANADA WINS OPENER

Wendy Graves

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Jillian Saulnier (Halifax, N.S./Cornell University, ECAC) and Jamie Lee Rattray (Kanata, Ont./Brampton, CWHL) each scored their first goals with Canada’s National Women’s Team as the host side shut out Sweden, 2-0, Tuesday night at the 2014 4 Nations Cup.

Jenelle Kohanchuk (Winnipeg, Man./Toronto, CWHL), Lauriane Rougeau (Beaconsfield, Que./Montreal, CWHL), Jennifer Wakefield (Pickering, Ont./Hockey Canada) and Haley Irwin (Thunder Bay, Ont./Calgary, CWHL) each added an assist.

Rookie Emerance Maschmeyer (Bruderheim, Alta./Harvard University, ECAC) made 11 saves to pick up her first win with the team.

At an event where 10 of the 23 players on Canada’s roster are making their debut with the National Women’s Team, it was the new members making a mark.

Canada opened the scoring 7:22 into the first when Kohanchuk sent a centring pass from the boards to an unmarked Saulnier in front of the net.

Sweden’s best chance at an equalizer came late, when captain Jenni Asserholt tried to break in alone. Defenceman Erin Ambrose (Keswick Ont./Clarkson University, ECAC), another rookie, battled her from the top of the slot to the top of the crease, eventually cleanly bringing her down.

Rattray doubled her team’s lead early in the second on a great individual effort, skating in from centre ice and beating Kim Marti’n Hasson high glove side.

Canada continued to apply pressure in the middle frame, when nearly all the action took place in the Swedish zone; Sweden would fail to register a shot on net during the period.

Marti’n Hasson turned aside 18 of 19 shots in the period to help keep her team in it, including stoning Jessica Campbell (Melville, Sask./Calgary, CWHL) on a one-timer from the doorstep and holding off a charging Natalie Spooner (Scarborough, Ont./Toronto, CWHL).

The Swedish goalie would finish with 40 saves.

Frustration kicked in for the Swedes in the third. After Rebecca Johnston (Sudbury, Ont./Calgary, CWHL) was whistled for tripping, Annie Svedin tackled Baily Bram (Ste. Anne, Man./Calgary, CWHL) to the ice before a minor scuffle ensued.

Sweden will look to rebound Wednesday afternoon when it takes on Finland at the Interior Savings Centre (5 pm ET/2 pm PT). Canada plays the United States in the night game (10 pm ET/7 pm PT).