2016-17 National Women's Team

2017 IIHF Women's World Championship
Game #4
Preliminary
Final
March 31, 2017 7:35 pm EDT
USA Hockey Arena – A1
Plymouth, Mich.

Scoring

Teams
1st
2nd
3rd
Final
Teams
1
2
3
F
0
0
0
0

Shots on Goal

1st
2nd
3rd
Final
1
2
3
F
5
3
10
18
12
9
9
30

Statistics

PP
PIM
0 / 0
4
0 / 1
2

Game Story

CANADA BLANKED BY U.S. TO OPEN WOMEN’S WORLDS

JASON LA ROSE

PLYMOUTH, Mich. – Shannon Szabados (Edmonton, Alta./Fort Saskatchewan, CHL) returned to the IIHF Women’s World Championship with a 28-save performance, but Canada’s National Women’s Team couldn’t find a goal in a tournament-opening 2-0 loss to the United States on Friday night.

The Canadians have dropped six in a row to the U.S. at women’s worlds, dating back to a shootout win in the preliminary round in 2013, and haven’t scored a goal against the Americans in more than 152 minutes.

Szabados, who made her first appearance at the tournament since 2013, was the story early and often, keeping the Canadians in the game as they struggled to produce offence through the first two periods.

The U.S. held a 12-5 advantage in shots on goal in the first period, and had a 21-8 edge through 40 minutes.

While Canada managed just three shots in the second period, it was two chances that didn’t register that were their best; captain Marie-Philip Poulin (Beauceville, Que./Montreal, CWHL) hit the post early in the period, before Meghan Agosta (Ruthven, Ont.) rang a backhand off the iron just minutes later.

With the second intermission approaching, the U.S. finally found a way past Szabados; Megan Bozek carried the puck into the Canadian zone and circled the net before swinging a cross-crease pass onto the stick of Brianna Decker, who made it 1-0 with a tap-in at 17:54.

Gigi Marvin doubled the American advantage less than five minutes into the third, letting go a wrist shot from the point that deflected off Poulin and eluded Szabados for a 2-0 lead.

Canada pressed in the final stanza, directing 10 shots at U.S. goaltender Nicole Hensley, but couldn’t find the scoreboard. The Americans outshot the Canadians 30-18 overall.

Despite the game being a physical affair – as Canada-U.S. showdowns usually are – the teams combined for just six minutes in penalties and a single power play.

The Canadians are right back to action Saturday at USA Hockey Arena, taking on Finland. Watch that game live on TSN, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.

Play by Play

Team
Description
Time
1st Period
PENALTY
Penalty: Jennifer Wakefield
Roughing (2:00)
14:19
2nd Period
GOAL
Goal: Brianna Decker

Assists: Megan Bozek
17:54
3rd Period
PENALTY
Penalty: Erin Ambrose
Roughing (2:00)
02:37
PENALTY
Penalty: Amanda Pelkey
Cross-Checking (2:00)
02:37
GOAL
Goal: Gigi Marvin

04:53

Goaltender Leaders

Name Team Mins Shots Saves GA SV%
Shannon Szabados CAN 58 30 28 2 0.933
Nicole Hensley USA 60 18 18 0 1.000

Game Leaders

GA 2 - SV - 28 - SAV% - 0.933
GA 0 - SV - 18 - SAV% - 1.000
Goals 1 - Assists 0 - Points 1
G 1 - A 0 - P 1
Goals 1 - Assists 0 - Points 1
G 1 - A 0 - P 1

Previous Games

2 - 3 L @ United States USA
Apr 7, 2017
3 - 2 W v CanadaCAN
Apr 7, 2017
4 - 0 W v FinlandFIN
Apr 6, 2017
11 - 0 W v GermanyGER
Apr 6, 2017
8 - 0 W v RussiaRUS
Apr 3, 2017
5 - 3 W v FinlandFIN
Apr 3, 2017
Videos
Photos
2017-18 NMT: CAN 3 – SUI 0 (Championship)
Poulin made 36 saves to backstop Canada to the Spengler Cup title.
2017-18 NMT - CAN 5 – MHK 2 (Semifinal)
Noreau had 1G 1A to help Canada reach another Spengler Cup final.
2018 WJC : CAN 8 – DEN 0 (Preliminary)
15 players recorded points to help Canada clinch first in Group A.
2018 WJC : USA 4 – CAN 3 SO (Preliminary)
Hart made 32 saves, but Canada fell in the first WJC outdoor game.
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Credit