Sarah Fillier scored a hat trick lifting Canada to a win over Switzerland, and setting Canada up for a chance at a three-peat when they play Team USA for gold.
Sarah Fillier scored a hat trick lifting Canada to a win over Switzerland, and setting Canada up for a chance at a three-peat when they play Team USA for gold.
Canada has the chance to three-peat as World Champions after defeating Switzerland 5-1 in their semifinal match up.
It took Switzerland more than 15 minutes of play to register their first shot, but the opening period still ended in a 0-0 tie despite Canada outshooting the Swiss 14-2. In the dying minutes of the opening frame, Switzerland suffered a major loss as captain Lara Stalder was ejected and assessed a five minute major for checking from behind on a hit to Sarah Nurse.
After killing off the major, Switzerland continue to hold off Canada's onslaught. With the game crossing the midway point of the game, however, Canada quickly transitioned off a Swiss turnover with Sarah Fillier firing a wrist shot off the left post and in, beating Andrea Braendli to break the deadlock.
Braendli was spectacular in net for the Swiss, turning aside multiple point blank attempts making 49 saves in the loss. The 25-year-old recently finished her fifth season of NCAA eligibility playing for Boston University posting a 2.14 GAA and .928 save percentage despite her team boasting a losing record. Braendli spent four seasons with Ohio State prior to joining Boston University.
Six minutes later, Fillier struck again, this time shovelling home a goal mouth scramble before being knocked to the ice. Natalie Spooner assisted on both Fillier goals.
In the third period, Jamie Lee Rattray extended Canada's lead to 3-0 finding a loose puck in the crease on the powerplay. Spooner had the assist picking up her third point of the night.
With less than five minutes to go in the third period, Fillier would cap of her hat trick sending hats raining from the stands in Brampton's CAA Centre.
Alina Muller would score for Switzerland to break Ann-Renee Desbiens' shutout, but that would be it for the Swiss. Canada capped off the night with a goal from Rebecca Johnston with .8 seconds remaining to make the score 5-1.
Canada and USA will now face off for gold at 7pm tomorrow, while Switzerland will play for bronze against Czechia.