GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. UNITED STATES (FEB. 7)

The final leg of the Rivalry Series has arrived as Canada’s National Women's Team returns to home ice to face the United States in Game 5 on Wednesday at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon.

Last Meeting & Last Game

Let’s go back to December, where Canada won its first game of the series—a 3-2 shootout decision—at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena in Sarnia, Ontario. Danielle Serdachny and Ella Shelton scored in the latter half of the third period to erase a 2-0 deficit, and Marie-Philip Poulin scored the only goal in the shootout. Ann-Renée Desbiens made 22 saves for the win.

What to Watch

It’s a homecoming for forwards Emily Clark and Sophie Shirley in Saskatoon. An alternate captain with PWHL Ottawa, Clark has a goal and four points in seven games in the nation’s capital, while the 24-year-old Shirley—a late addition to the roster to replace the injured Kristin O’Neill—has a goal and three points in seven games with PWHL Boston. A few familiar faces are also returning to Canada’s lineup for this leg of the series, including Natalie Spooner, who leads the PWHL with seven goals in nine games.

Alex Carpenter has certainly made an impact with PWHL New York to start the season. The 29-year-old has recorded five goals and leads the league with 11 points in nine games. Kendall Coyne Schofield is making her return to the U.S. lineup after maternity leave. The veteran forward and captain of PWHL Minnesota has three goals and four points to start the season.

The New Kids

Five players will wear the colours of their country for the first time at the senior level – four Americans and one on the Canadian side.

Maggie Connors will see her first game action with Canada’s National Women’s Team; the St. John’s native has a goal and two assists with PWHL Toronto. For the U.S., it’ll be Madison Bizal, Maggie Flaherty, Brittyn Fleming and Taylor Girard who debut in red, white and blue.

A Look Back

The Canadians were in a similar position last year after dropping the first three games before coming back to win the Rivalry Series, so anything is possible.

Canada has an 8-2 record in Saskatchewan, dating back to a three-game, pre-Nagano swing through Saskatoon, Regina and Melfort in October 1997. Jayna Hefford was the standout in the game in Saskatoon, scoring twice and adding an assist in a 6-1 win over Sweden.

All-time record: Canada leads 101-78-1 (23-19 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 495
United States goals: 441