2018-19 National Women's Team

CANADA FALLS TO U.S., GETS SILVER AT 4 NATIONS CUP

ALI WILSON

SASKATOON, Sask. – Laura Fortino (Hamilton, Ont./Markham, CWHL) scored early and Jaime Bourbonnais (Mississauga, Ont./Cornell University, ECAC) added a goal late, but Canada’s National Women’s Team was left with silver at the 4 Nations Cup after a 5-2 loss to the United States on Saturday night.

It is the 23rd time in as many appearances as the tournament Canada has finished either first or second. It’s all-time medal count now includes 14 gold medals and nine silver.

The Americans got on the board just 88 seconds into the first period when Hilary Knight finished a give-and-go with Dani Cameranesi, but Fortino rocketed in an unassisted goal at 3:49 to tie it up for Canada.

The U.S. took the lead back for good with three-and-a-half minutes to go in the opening frame thanks to Melissa Samoskevich, who converted a two-on-one with Kelly Pannek for the 2-1 goal.

A pair of U.S. veterans helped the Americans take control midway through the second period; Brianna Decker made good on a three-on-one with Sydney Brodt and Kendall Coyne Schofield at 11:37, and Knight tipped in a Sidney Morin shot 24 seconds after that to make it 4-1.

Coyne Schofield knocked in a Decker rebound just 41 seconds into the third period to make it 5-1. That was all for Canadian goaltender Shannon Szabados (Edmonton, Alta./Buffalo, NWHL), who was relieved by Emerance Maschmeyer (Bruderheim, Alta./Montreal, CWHL) for the final 19 minutes.

Bourbonnais finished the scoring with her first national team goal on the power play midway through the third period, with fellow Team Canada rookie Loren Gabel (Kitchener, Ont./ Clarkson University, ECAC) adding the lone assist.

Rebecca Johnston (Sudbury, Ont./Calgary, CWHL) finished as Canada’s leading scorer with six points in four games, one point ahead of Mélodie Daoust (Valleyfield, Que./Montreal, CWHL) and Marie-Philip Poulin (Beauceville, Que./Montreal, CWHL).