Kirsten Simms play at the Rivalry Series was her first, but certainly not last as a member of USA's senior national team.
Kirsten Simms play at the Rivalry Series was her first, but certainly not last as a member of USA's senior national team.
Few could miss Kirsten Simms in her debut for USA's senior national team. She made sure of that scoring a goal in her typical fashion in the second period using her skill set to find space and beat Canadian netminder Ann-Renee Desbiens cleanly.
In the third, she almost added to her totals ringing a shot off off the post again beating Desbiens. It was clear USA's coaching staff recognized her ability immediately placing her on their top power play unit with Taylor Heise, Hilary Knight, Caroline Harvey, and Abbey Murphy.
"I wasn't expecting to score whatsoever, but super exciting to get to contribute. It was a crazy feeling," said Simms of hitting the scoresheet.
The moment itself however, was not lost on the 19-year-old Michigan product. Playing in front of more than 7500 fans in Kitchener alongside her idols, and against Canada was a moment she won't forget.
"Obviously the nerves were there, but it was a super exciting opportunity, a surreal feeling," said Simms of making her debut. "I just kind of walked into it and tried to stick to my game as much as I could while taking it all in."
"Definitely took it all in during warmups thinking, wow, this is it, but once the game got started I tried not to think about it and tried to just focus on my game."
At the NCAA level, Simms is currently leading the nation in scoring with Wisconsin recording 15 goals and 34 points in 17 games.
In her second game with USA, Simms was elevated to USA's second line, played regular powerplay minutes, and was given an attempt for USA in the shootout. It was a rapid rise showing the confidence the program has in her.
With her first performances in the books with USA's senior national team, American hockey fans will certainly become well accustomed with Simms for many years to come.