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With one win and one loss behind them, Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team is set to take on its rivals from the United States in its last preliminary-round game at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship.
LAST GAME
Canada bounced back from its loss to Finland in fine fashion, beating Sweden 3-1 on Tuesday. Reichen Kirchmair got things started for Canada, scoring less than three minutes into the game, and Rhea Hicks followed up with a pair of goals. Mari Pietersen made 33 saves as the Canadians finished with a 56-34 edge in shots on goal. The 90 combined shots were the fifth most in a Canada game at the U18 women’s worlds.
The United States picked up its second win of the tournament, blanking the Finns 5-0 on Tuesday. Laila Edwards and Tessa Janecke opened the scoring for the Americans in the first period and both added goals in the third as well. The U.S. went 2-for-6 on the power play and outshot Finland 47-11.
LAST MEETING
Canada last faced its cross-border rivals in the gold medal game at the 2020 worlds, dropping a heartbreaking 2-1 decision in overtime. Abbey Murphy struck first for the U.S. on a power play late in the first period before Sarah Paul tied it for Canada early in the third. The Canadians started the extra period with 80 seconds on the power play but couldn’t find the golden goal, before Kiara Zanon ended it for the Americans at 16:52.
WHAT TO WATCH
Head coach Howie Draper played around with his lines against the Swedes, with his fourth line producing noticeable energy. Emmalee Pais, Rhea Hicks and Holly Abela generated multiple opportunities in front, with Hicks showing Natalie Spooner-like tendencies on her drives to the net and coming away with two goals to show for it. The trio will need to rely on their physical play in order to compete against the Americans.
No team has scored more than the Americans’ 11 goals through two games, so it’s no surprise they dominate the tournament scoring leaders, holding three of the top five spots. Janecke has three goals and two assists so far and has dominated the face-off circle, winning 16 of her 21 draws for a tournament-best 80.77 win percentage. Puck possession will be critical for Canada’s success.
A LOOK BACK
In a tale of two goliaths, Canada and the United States have faced off against each other 19 times over the years, including 12 of the 13 gold medal games. Of their 19 matchups, 10 have required overtime (including the most recent Canadian gold in 2019), with two decided in a shootout.
Canada’s most comfortable win came in the 2014 gold medal game. Sarah Potomak and Ève-Audrey Picard scored twice and Shea Tiley made 26 saves in the 5-1 win, earning Canada a third-straight gold medal.
All-time record: U.S. leads 12-7 (6-4 in OT/SO) Canada goals: 42 United States goals: 52