Canada Red beat Team Finland in summer series action at Canada's U-18 national team camp.
Canada Red beat Team Finland in summer series action at Canada's U-18 national team camp.
Canada Red wasted no time showing their dominance against Finland's U-18 team at Hockey Canada's summer series at the U-18 national team camp. Canada Red shutout Finland 5-0.
Sienna D’Alessandro had a strong game for Canada recording a goal and two assists in the win. Also scoring for Canada were Morgan Jackson, Stryker Zablocki, Reese Logan, and Sydney Sawyer.
The line of Abby Stonehouse, Zablocki, and Riley Sorokan was Canada Red's best in the game playing a physical game and smothering any attempts from Finland, who only managed 10 shots on net in the game, with Hannah Clarke and Clara Juca splitting the shutout.
Canada White will play Finland August 11 followed by a final inter-squad game between Canada Red and White on August 12. Following that game, Canada's U-18 coaching staff will make cuts selecting the roster that will travel to Lake Placid, USA to take on USA in a three game series this month. With so much talent, there will be difficult decisions for Canada's staff.
"So talented, every year I'm just more and more blown away by the level of skill and the shape that they come in," said head coach Tara Watchorn in an intermission interview. "I think the fitness of this group has stood out early on, we obviously have a good group coming back to be veterans and a really skilled young group coming in."
Top Performers Day Two:
Sienna D’Alessandro - An impressive start to Canada's camp, D'Allesandro scored in Canada Red's opening inter-squad game against Canada White, and followed it up with a first period goal against Finland. The forward played boys' U-18 'AAA' in Quebec this season for the Lac St-Louis Lions , and also represented Team Quebec at the Canada Winter Games. The 2007 born player showed explosive spurts and strong body positioning to get into open ice and create chances. She was physical along the boards and showcased a heavy shot in the opening games, but also showcased her vision as a playmaker setting up a pair of goals against Finland.
Kerttu Kuja-Halkola - Without Kerttu Kuja-Halkola, Team Finland would have lost by a landslide at the hands of Canada Red. Last year's starter for Finland at the U-18 World Championships, Kuja-Halkola is still only 15 and can play in two more U-18 World Championship tournaments. This year the five-foot-eight netminder will take another developmental step facing tougher competition in Naisten Liiga with Team Kuortane.
Emma Beauchamp - Used her speed effectively in the opening two games of this showcase. Beauchamp scored in the inter-squad game, but against Finland showed her versatility. Facing Finland, Beauchamp battled in the corners winning pucks, killed penalties, and displayed a physical component that could make her a player to watch in the competition for a bottom six role with Canada. She was relentless in her puck pursuit. Beauchamp had 30 goals in 30 games for Nepean in the OWHL U-22 Elite.