Coming off a win its tournament opener, Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team looks to keep the momentum going against host Sweden as the preliminary round continues at the 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship.
LAST GAME
Canada started its prelim schedule with an 8-0 win over Finland on Sunday . Caitlin Kraemer opened the scoring with a pair of first-period goals and added an assist for a three-point night. Alex Law had three assists, and Abby Stonehouse, Gracie Graham and Piper Grober had a goal and a helper apiece as Canada outshot the Finns 48-9.
The Swedes opened their tournament Sunday with a 6-3 loss to the United States . Sweden – which blanked the U.S. 1-0 in pre-tournament play – stayed close to the eight-time world champions, going to the second intermission down just a goal before the Americans pulled away in the third period. Emma Rehn, Mira Hallin and Linnea Natt och Dag provided the scoring, while Ida Henriksson made 37 saves.
LAST MEETING
The last time the two teams met was during the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Madison, Wisconsin, when the Canadians earned a 3-1 preliminary-round win . Reichen Kirchmair and Rhea Hicks scored in the first period and Hicks added a second in the second as Canada racked up 56 shots on goal. Mari Pietersen finished with 34 saves, 14 of them in the third period.
WHAT TO WATCH
Canada showed against the Finns that its defence isn’t afraid to jump into the rush or contribute from the point. Three blue-liners – Grober, Graham and Keira Hurry – scored goals and five of the seven recorded points. They also held the Finns to just nine shots on goal, so it was quite a 200-foot performance from the ‘D’ corps.
Just two games in (including pre-tournament play), and goaltending is proving to be a strength for Sweden. Henriksson turned in a solid performance against the Americans as mentioned above, and she combined with Felicia Frank for a 49-save shutout of the U.S. in exhibition action. Success in short-term competition almost always includes terrific netminding, and the Swedes look like they have that.
A LOOK BACK
Canada and Sweden have met on the ice 10 times at the U18 women’s worlds, with Canada owning a perfect record.
A trio of Olympic gold medallists have turned in terrific performances against the Swedes – Mélodie Daoust had four points (3-1—4) to lead the way offensively in a 6-1 semifinal win in 2009 , while the defensive duo of Brigette Lacquette (1-3—4) and Erin Ambrose (0-4—4) helped Canada to an 8-0 prelim win in 2010 .
All-time record: Canada leads 10-0
Canada goals: 55
Sweden goals: 9