Archrival United States were a goal-scoring machine in Denmark, while Canada struggled through the forward lines in an attempt to find chemistry. Canada may have found that out in time for Sunday’s gold medal game against the USA in Herning, if Saturday’s 8-1 semifinal win over Switzerland is any indication. Canada scored the types of goals it will likely need to beat the USA – created under the half wall and scored within two meters of the crease. “The way we contributed offensively, the way we put the bench on the net, kept it simple, got those rebounds and tried to put them in, I think that was the key for us,” said Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin, which scored twice against the Swiss. “We tend to want to play the pretty game, but I think if we continue to get tough and dirty in front of the net, I think that’s going to be important for us to do tomorrow.” The U.S. will attempt the same, so in addition to the usual factors of goaltending and special teams, the final will be won or lost in the frame between and under the faceoff dots at either end of the ice. The Canadians also got contributions Saturday from players who had a quiet tournament. Brianne Jenner, whose nine goals at the Winter Olympics in February tied a tournament record, scored her first in Denmark. WATCHES | Canada goes for 12th gold medal after taking it to Switzerland:
Canada punches a ticket to the world championship gold medal game
The Canadians blanked Switzerland 8-1 to advance to the gold medal game with the United States at the IIHF Women’s World Championship in Denmark. Sarah Nurse, who set Beijing records for assists and points, scored her second goal of the tournament. Head coach Troy Ryan continued to work in different combinations up front on Saturday, shifting Sarah Potomak to a line with Poulin and Jenner and bringing in Victoria Bach to join Jessie Eldridge and Emma Maltais. Eldridge and Kristin O’Neill scored their first goals of the tournament. Sarah Fillier’s goal was a team-high fifth. Emily Clark also scored and defenseman Ella Shelton had a pair of assists. Canadian goalkeeper Ann-Renee Desbiens stopped five shots for the win. Canada put 56 in the Swiss net and had more to show for three goals on 57 shots in a quarterfinal win over Sweden. . pic.twitter.com/mAHOL7CMes —@HockeyCanada “I thought we showed more depth today. More lines helped to some extent,” Ryan said. “We got away from just relying on our high offense. We went low, we went mid and high. This is a much better way to play. “We were kind of predictable. I thought we had a little more variety tonight. If we bring that variety tomorrow, it’s going to cause some problems.” Not only is the USA unbeaten in six games, including a 5-2 win over Canada in the qualifying round, but they have outscored their opposition 52-5 compared to Canada’s 30-8. While veterans Amanda Kessel and Hilary Knight have been steady producers with six goals apiece, rookie Taylor Heise leads the tournament’s scoring parade with seven goals and 11 assists. Heise said she and her teammates worked hard on aggressive net play and tips and deflections during the pre-tournament camp in Buffalo. “In the games, we had so many great tips and so many great goals,” Heise said. “We work so hard in the small areas because we want those opportunities for our teammates.” The USA has reached the final of every women’s championship since the inaugural tournament in Ottawa in 1990 and has won nine gold medals.
Canada seeks 3rd consecutive women’s hockey crown
The only time Canada, winners of 11 golds, did not meet the USA in the final was in 2019, when they were upset in the semifinals by hosts Finland in Espoo. Canada beat the U.S. 3-2 in overtime a year ago in Calgary to claim gold and end its rival’s streak of five straight titles. Then the Canadians prevailed 3-2 in Beijing for the Olympic gold. They had lost it in a shootout with the US four years earlier in Pyeongchang, South Korea. WATCHES | Pullen leads Canada to gold in Beijing:
‘Captain Clutch’ Poulin scores twice to lead Canada to another Olympic gold medal
Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin scored twice and had three points, including a third Olympic gold medal-winning goal, as Canada defeated the United States 3-2 in the final game of Beijing 2022. Canada may hold both titles, but the U.S. poses a formidable obstacle to claiming a third women’s hockey crown in a year. Veteran offensive threats Natalie Spooner and Melodie Daoust, as well as Olympiacos defensive all-star Claire Thompson, did not report to Canada’s selection camp in August for personal reasons. So the makeup and strategy of Canada’s world championship team is different from the high-octane Olympic team that outscored its opponent 57-10 in Beijing, Ryan said. “It’s not unfair to anyone to compare this team to last year’s team or any other team from Hockey Canada,” he said. “The nicest thing about this situation is that if we’re going to be successful, it’s going to be completely different. It doesn’t mean it’s better or worse. It’s just different. The Czech Republic, the country commonly referred to as the Czech Republic, lost 10-1 to the United States in its semifinal and will face Switzerland for the bronze medal on Sunday.
