A new chapter in women's para hockey has begun with the inaugural World Para Ice Hockey Women's Championships, a six-day tournament taking place in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia, with six teams competing from around the world.
Day one saw a matchup between Australia and the United States. This game was Australia's first-ever para ice hockey game, while the Americans came into this tournament as the strongest of the teams. They most recently swept Canada in three games during the Women's Sled Series back in March, and their strong play showed early and often in the opening period. Precision passes, aggressive forecheck, and confidence in the offensive zone were all on full display, paying off just thirteen seconds into the game. Plum, PA native Kelsey Lee DiClaudio finished off the pass from forward Kaden Herchenroether to make it 1-0 in the first, marking the first goal in Women's World Para Hockey history.
At the end of the first period, the US was up 6-0, led by San Diego, CA native Lera Doederlein with one goal and two assists.
The Australian side came out stronger in the second period, but were unable to maintain that pressure. Rachel Steffen, from Cincinnati, OH, scored her first goal with Team USA to extend the lead to 7-0 heading into the final frame.
Defender Monica Quimby, of Bradenton, FL, scored the lone goal of the third period to seal an 8-0 victory. The Americans were led in this one by forward Jamie Benassi, out of Newtown, and defender Ai Lin Zheng, from Queens, NY, who both had three points.
Erika Gosney, from Victoria, was the story of the game for Australia, finishing with 23 saves and a .742 save percentage. Time and time again, she came up big for her team, using her strong glove hand to make the difficult saves look routine. For the Australians, they were unable to secure a shot on American Hope Magelky, who earned the shutout.
Players of the Match were Erika Gosney for the Australian side, and Rachel Steffen for the United States.
Game two of the day featured Canada against Team World, a lineup representing nine different nations. Ranked second, Canada entered the game looking to rebound from three losses on home soil to the Americans in March's Women's Sled Series.
Canada struck twice early in the first period, as Terrebone, QC native Raphaëlle Tousignant scored two goals on the team's first two shots, showcasing her aggressive play and quick wrist shot. Team World then settled in after the early deficit, embracing their underdog role by forcing Canada to the outside, and challenging the shooters more aggressively.
Canadian forward Aubree Clements of Bowmanville, ON took the tournament's first penalty, going to the box for roughing late in the first period. Canada went to the dressing room up 2-0 but without looking like the tournament's second ranked team.
Canada came out stronger and more consistent in the second period, contrasting how they played much of the first. Raphaëlle Tousignant highlighted the team's effort, scoring the tournament's first hat trick and showcasing her effective wrist shot. Canada was up 8-0 heading into the final frame.
After a strong outing with 22 saves through two periods, Meranda Reast of Germany gave way to forward Anne Buisson from France to start the third. Canada continued their strong play, as Alyssa White, who scored twice in the second period, capped off the game's second hat trick early in the third period to extend Canada's lead to 9-0. Team World fought hard throughout the game despite the score, while a third period goal from Vancouver, BC native Peggy Assinck extended Canada's lead to 10-0, which is how the game finished.
Players of the Game were Caroline Persson for Team World, and Claire Buchanan for Canada.
Day one of the inaugural World Championships ended with Canada and the United States atop their respective groups. Day two will begin at 10:00am EST with Norway facing Australia, followed by Great Britain and Team World at 1:30pm EST. All games will be streamed live on the Paralympic YouTube Channel, as well as the World Para Ice Hockey's Facebook page.