Match notes: Canada v. United States (August 26)
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It’s the last day of the preliminary round for the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championships, and we’re getting to work: it’s time for 153NS Duel of the greatest sporting competitions
Canada women’s national team against the United States.
The last match between each team
Canada claimed its third straight win in Calgary on Tuesday night,
Switzerland attacked with 63 shots on goal to 12 to end up winning 5-0. Natalie Spooner scored twice, finishing just one point off an important feat (see below), and Melody Doust led the Canadian attack with one goal and two assists. Emerance Maschmeyer was perfect on his debut against Canada, blocking 12 shots from the Swiss.
The United States posted a flawless performance for the third consecutive time earlier on Tuesday, saving 11 balls from goalkeeper Alex Cavallini to defeat Core’s 6-0. Hilary Knight scored a historic goal (more on that later as well), while Lee Sticklin and Kelly Bannick scored one and made one each for the Americans, who still haven’t allowed a goal in three games.
The last meeting between the two teams
In what was the last game before the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the hockey world, Canada ended the 2019-20 competition series with a 4-3 loss in overtime against the United States in Anaheim, California on February 8, 2020. Gilles Solnier scored one goal and set up another to award it Leading 3-2 after 40 minutes of play, but Monique Lamoureaux-Morando tied the game midway through the third period, and Megan Buzek closed the books on strong play after 42 seconds of overtime.
to watch
Food shortages remain rampant in first period for Canada, which failed to shine a first-period red light in any of its first three games. The Canadians hit Swiss goalkeeper Andrea Brindley with 21 shots, but were forced to fall back empty-handed in the dressing room in the first break on Tuesday. In the second half? The story is different – Canada scored four times in the second half against Switzerland and scored nine goals in the middle of the period so far.
For statistics enthusiasts, one point is missing for Spooner to be 14NS A player to score 100 career points with the Canadian women’s national team, and the first to do so since Rebecca Johnston in 2017. Will that point come on Thursday? Spooner has 24 points (10-14-24) in 59 career games against the Americans.
On the US side, Hilary Knight once again entered the Women’s World Cup record books. Her American dissident scored 45NS A goal at CMF in beating COR, becoming the tournament’s top scorer in history surpassing American legend and Hall of Fame member Cammi Granato, who has held the title so far. Knight also overtook Granato for first place in points by a hockey player for the US team, at 78. Two of the Canadians – Hayley Wickenheiser (37-49-86) and Gina Hefford (40-43-83) – top all-time top scorers. .
Retroactively
Americans are well-known opponents of Canadian women in the women’s worlds, and countries are volatile in the history of this tournament. The United States is narrowly ahead 15-13, and both teams have scored 79 goals in 28 games. Canada comes on Thursday after losing eight games in a row to the United States at CMF.
The last time competing nations crossed swords in a preliminary competition was in 2019, losing 3-2 to Canada, with Sarah Norse and Brian Jenner winning the power game. The Canadians’ latest victory goes back to the preliminary round for the 2013 edition in Ottawa. Canada forced overtime by scoring twice in the final nine minutes, and Megan Agusta and Jennifer Wakefield hit the target in a penalty shootout to give them a 3-2 win.
All-time record: Canada leads 83-67-1 (17-16 in PROL. or VG) Canada: 414 goals USA: 375