Canada overcome early defensive lapses to beat USA at the Saskatoon stop of the Rivalry Series, and cut the USA's series lead to 3-2.
Canada overcome early defensive lapses to beat USA at the Saskatoon stop of the Rivalry Series, and cut the USA's series lead to 3-2.
Canada stayed alive in the 2023-2024 Rivalry Series after completing a come from behind 4-2 win against Team USA Wednesday night in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Similar to the 2022-2023 Rivalry Series, Canada initially fell behind 3-0 in the Series, before fighting their way back. After a win in Sarnia, Ontario in game four, it was Renata Fast's third period goal for Canada that gave them their second victory of the series in Saskatoon.
Only 2:44 into the opening period, Kelly Pannek rolled off Jocelyne Larocque below the goal line before finding Hayley Scamurra in the slot. After Scamurra's shot was stopped by Ann-Renee Desbiens, Grace Zumwinkle grabbed the loose puck and pushed it through Desbiens.
Early in the second period, Canada got on the board on the powerplay. Natalie Spooner took multiple attempts in the slot that were fought off by Nicole Hensley before Brianne Jenner grabbed the puck and found the back of the net. USA regained their lead 13:46 into the second as Abby Roque took the puck below the goal line and found a wide open Gabbie Hughes to the right of the crease. Hughes beat Desbiens in tight to put the Americans up 2-1.
Both American goals stemmed from defensive lapses by Canada where they appeared fixated on the puck without challenging the American goal scorers.
In the third period, however, Team Canada started to control the play and overcome their issues. A pair of defenders proved the offensive difference after Ashton Bell tied the game and Renata Fast gave Canada the 3-2 lead with 5:53 remaining.
With the clock winding down, Laura Stacey banked home an insurance marker into the empty net to polish off Canada's 4-2 win.
Ann-Renee Desbiens stopped 14 of 16 shots for Canada, while Nicole Hensley stopped 25 of 28.
The Rivalry Series moves to Regina, Saskatchewan on Friday, February 9 at the Brandt Centre.