Canada and USA are set for another pair of games in the 2023-2024 Rivalry Series in Kitchener and Sarnia, Ontario. Here's a look at some noteworthy moves and other roster news.
Canada will look to bounce back, while USA will look to continue their dominance at the 2023-2024 Rivalry Series as the two teams prepare to face off for games three and four of the Series in December.
Both nations announced their rosters this week with four players joining Team USA who were not on November's roster, and six new members joining Canada's December roster.
Looking at the new players
American fans are in for a treat getting their first glimpse of Kirsten Simms with the senior national team. She's a star in the making with dazzling hands and on ice vision. How USA deploys her will be interesting to watch as she thrives in a top six setting and on the powerplay. Ally Simpson has been a rock for Colgate in the NCAA, and will provide steady minutes for USA on the back end, a position they now have an opening at with the departure of Lee Stecklein from the national program. Anna Wilgren is one to watch on the blueline as well after a strong start with Wisconsin this year. Canada's new players include Nicole Gosling on the blueline who was a standout at the Fall selection camp, and forwards Jennifer Gardiner and Anne Cherkowski who are all set to make their senior national debut. The trio has the opportunity to tip the scales for Canada against a USA team that was younger, faster, and more persistent on the puck in the opening games.
Will Caroline Harvey return?
Caroline Harvey, USA's top player at the last Worlds could return after missing Novembers games due to injury. She may make her return to NCAA action this weekend after missing more than a month with a knee injury that was originally feared to be an ACL injury. It turned out not to be as severe as doctors first thought, leading to the choice to rehab her injury over potential surgery. She has been on her skates with Wisconsin recently. With Lee Stecklein stepping away from USA's national program, the depth of USA's blueline will again be on display.
Gabel Gets Another Chance
Loren Gabel, who will play this season for PWHL Boston, is set to suit up again for Canada at the Rivalry Series this month. One of the best pure goal scorers in women's hockey, Gabel has many attributes that could jumpstart Canada's attack if deployed properly. In particular, fans can expect to see Gabel as a regular target of her linemates on offensive zone starts, and on the powerplay. Canada went 0-for-6 on the powerplay through the opening games of the Rivalry Series, which are opportunities the team can't afford to squander against the Americans. USA scored twice with a player advantage. Gabel who was the leading scorer and MVP in the PHF last year, and scored six goals in seven World Championship games in her lone IIHF apearance with Canada's senior national team, even if used primarily on special teams, could be a game changer for Canada.
Who has the edge in net?
It was hard to ignore USA's netminding in the opening games of the Rivalry Series. Canada outshot USA in both games but couldn't muster a win. The return of Ann-Renee Desbiens could sway the momentum of the series, if she's fully recovered by that point. Desbiens has been absent for much of PWHL Montreal's early practices, but Canada obviously anticipates she'll be fully ready by December, if not sooner. Aerin Frankel and Nicole Hensley both put on spectacular performances to open the Series. Canada on the other hand had lacklustre performances averaging only a .843 save percentage across their two games. It was surprising Canada didn't give Corinne Schroeder an opportunity to prove herself at this leg of the Series.