For only the seventh time in Canada and USA's 37 year history of facing each other in women's senior national team action, seven goals were scored by a team. After one of their worst defensive performances ever, Canada is looking to "turn the page."
For only the seventh time in Canada and USA's 37 year history of facing each other in women's senior national team action, seven goals were scored by a team. After one of their worst defensive performances ever, Canada is looking to "turn the page."
In a historic rivalry that often features games decided in overtime, and rarely a lopsided result. The opening game of the 2024-25 Rivalry Series between Canada and USA's senior national teams however, was one of those rare occasions.
USA blasted Canada taking a 5-0 lead into the first intermission, and finishing the game with a 7-2 win. The last time either team scored seven goals in a game against one another was in the 2025 IIHF World Championship gold medal game, which USA won 7-5. In fact, it was only the seventh time in 37 years either team hit the seven goal mark. In that way, it was a forgettable moment for Canada's national team, and one head coach Troy Ryan hopes his team can turn the page on.
“One thing I said to the team is that you don’t always have the opportunity to wait until an intermission to turn things around," Ryan said. "Sometimes you have to find a way to turn around a game within the game or within the period. The U.S. looked comfortable and connected and we just didn’t."
"It’s one of those games you turn the page on, but there are plenty of learnings to take from it and we’ll tap into that. Sometimes this time of year things won’t look as smooth, chemistry isn’t there, but you always have to have the work ethic and compete. They’ll learn from tonight, it’s only game one of our season and they’ll be better in the next game.”
Eight members of Canada's roster remain from the 2015 team that last allowed seven goals. For veterans experiencing a lopsided loss of this level for the first time it was a learning moment with takeaways.
“First game of the season there are a lot of things we can take and actually learn from," said Sarah Nurse, who played her first international tournament for Canada at the 2018 Olympics. "There are things we want to do better, but there are things we can take and run with."
Of the positives, Nurse pointed to Canada's special teams as something they can build on. Blayre Turnbull, captain of the PWHL's Toronto Sceptres thought the team progressed throughout the game, as they'll look to carry their late game momentum forward.
"I think the positive takeaway from the game is that we knew what we needed to change going into the second and third periods and we did a good job of that," Turnbull said. "We competed harder, our intensity was higher, we were more committed to winning pucks, winning battles and I think that’s the true way we want to play. I am really proud of the way we responded despite having a horrible first period."
Canada has lost the first game of the Rivalry Series in three straight years, but came back to win the series each of the last two seasons. This time around, however, the Rivalry Series is only five games, instead of seven, meaning Canada cannot afford to open the series with three consecutive losses as they did in 2023 and 2022.
The Rivalry Series continues Friday, November 8 at Maverik Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.