Canada looked like they were set to take game two of the Summer Select Series between USA's Collegiate Select team and Canada's National Development team. Despite improvements in game two, USA remained too much for Canada.
“We definitely improved as a team; we are growing as a team and are getting better," said Canada's assistant coach Chris MacKenzie. "We took steps in the right direction to address some things—our team really responded. We were more physical, more connected and it showed today."
Canada jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but couldn't capitalize on their many chances going only one-for-eight on the power play en route to falling 4-3 in a marathon shootout to the Americans.
Sarah Paul opened the scoring for Canada with her first of two goals in the game early in the first, but the tides gradually shifted toward USA. Canada struggled with their compete level in the opening game losing puck battles and foot races. It was another area of improvement in game two as the team played with more urgency, but it wasn't enough. After losing their opening two games, Canada can only hope for a single win in the series, not a series win itself.
“We stepped up our emotion, we are pleased with some progress, but we are not satisfied and want to focus on Game 3," said Mackenzie. "We need to continue to grow and get better in all facets of the game. We are going to try and close out this series with a win on Saturday.”
Paul scored twice for Canada while Piper Grober scored the other. USA got goals from Kelly Gorbatenko, Ava Lindsay, and Julia Pellerin, before Elyssa Biederman iced the game in the 16th round of the shootout. It was the first goal for either team in the shootout as American netminder Annelies Bergmann stood tall, and Hailey MacLeod in Canada's net allowed only a single goal. Canada's players felt they took a step forward as well, but want to finish the series strong on Saturday.
“We had closer support, so it made it easier to make plays today," said Paul, who transferred from Princeton to Minnesota for next season in the NCAA.
"We felt a little more connected making the five-foot plays, which helped us generate some more chances. I was in the right place at the right time today. We need to keep things simple; we do not need to overcomplicate the game. We know that having close support, making five-foot plays and giving lots of communication—those simple things that are easy to overlook at times—are needed to work as a unit together and we will be good to go on Saturday."
Canada is missing only Caitlin Kraemer, Eve Gascon, and Chloe Primerano from their eligible group for the series. They also chose not to invite Princeton standout Issy Wunder. USA however, is fielding a far more conservatively constructed roster than last year. They kept Caroline Harvey, Laila Edwards, Abbey Murphy, Tessa Janecke, Kirsten Simms, Ava McNaughton, Lacey Eden, Joy Dunne, and Emma Peschel skating only with their senior national team in Lake Placid this week.
If Canada Isn't Worried About USA's Women's Hockey Development, They Should Be
For years, Canada was the more dominant international power in women's hockey. Canada won the first eight World Championship gold medals, and still holds a slight edge with 13 gold to USA's 11 at the event. Canada has also won five of the seven Olympic gold medals ever contested.