Jonathan Yue
GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. UNITED STATES (NOVEMBER 11)
TV: TSN | Stream: TSN Direct
For the second year in a row, the Rivalry Series makes a stop in the City of Angels on Saturday as Canada’s National Women’s Team hits the ice inside Crypto.com Arena against the United States.
Last Game & Last Meeting
The longtime rivals faced off in another close game in Tempe, Arizona, on Wednesday. Brianne Jenner scored the equalizer for the Canadians midway through the second period, but a pair of third-period goals from the U.S. left Canada on the wrong end of a 3-1 final in Game 1 .Emerance Maschmeyer made 24 saves for Canada, which outshot the Americans 36-27.
What to Watch
After Jessica DiGirolamo made her Team Canada debut in Tempe, look for Sophie Jaques to do the same in L.A. The Toronto native has three international games to her credit at lower levels in the National Women’s Program, but all three have come in selection camps, so this will be the first time she has officially worn the Team Canada jersey. Jaques was a second-round pick by Boston in the inaugural PWHL Draft, going 10th overall after finishing a decorated college career at Ohio State University that included a Patty Kazmaier Award (2022-23), an NCAA national championship (2022) and 156 points (61-95—156) in 172 games.
Hilary Knight is starting the 2023-24 season right where she left off in 2022-23 – as an offensive catalyst for the Americans. The U.S. captain had a hat trick in the gold medal game at Women’s Worlds after posting eight points (4-4—8) in seven Rivalry Series games last season, and kicked off this year’s series with a goal and an assist in Game 1.
Fillier is Fantastic
Fresh off her 50th game with Canada’s National Women’s Team, Sarah Fillier has already climbed to fourth in points among active players. Her assist on Wednesday gives the 2023 Women’s Worlds MVP 58 points (37-21—58) in her Team Canada career, just one behind Sarah Nurse, who has played 32 more games with the Maple Leaf on her chest. She has a long way to go to catch the top two on the active list – Jenner (116) and Marie-Philip Poulin (210).
Back on Home Ice
The Rivalry Series returns to Canada with stops in Kitchener, Ontario (Dec. 14), Sarnia, Ontario (Dec. 16), Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Feb. 7) and Regina, Saskatchewan (Feb. 9). Tickets are available now , starting at under $30!
A Look Back
The Canadians have been in this position before, losing the first game of the series to the U.S. in 2018, 2019 and last year, but they have also shown they are able to bounce back. After being shutout 1-0 in the 2018 opener, Canada stormed back in Game 2 behind two-point efforts from Poulin and Jamie Lee Rattray to earn a 4-3 win in Toronto.
All-time record: Canada leads 100-76-1
Canada goals: 488
United States goals: 431