USA Puts On Show Of Force To Close Out The National Development Series

USA broke out in game three of the 2024 USA - Canada National Team Development series routing Canada 7-1 to take the series two games to one.

After needing overtime for a 4-3 win in game one, and falling 5-3 to Canada in game two, USA's national development team put on a show of force in game three of their series handing Canada a lopsided 7-1 loss.

"It was a great game for our group, it was just the consistent effort we had," said captain Caroline Harvey of the win.

After Canada got on the board first with Sara Wozniewicz scoring only 2:21 into the contest, it was all Team USA, including five power play goals. Emma Gentry got USA rolling with an even strength marker, before Harvey scored what would stand as the game winner to open the second period.

"At times the energy was evenly match, but we were consistent, we gave a better effort and our group played collectively together," said Harvey. "We were on the same page which was great, we played our systems, and we capitalized on the power play."

Also recording power play goals for the United States in the game were Tessa Janecke, who scored a pair, Kiara Zanon, and Laila Edwards. Janecke finished the game with two goals and an assist and was arguably USA's best player in the series. Kirsten Simms also had a three point night for the Americans with a goal and two assists. 

After a rough start in game one of the series, Annelies Bergmann bounced back Saturday night making 18 saves in the win.

Canada won the opening two games of the U-18 series, but USA got on the board in the final contest beating Canada 4-3 in a shootout.

It looked like the Canadians were again going to run away with this game after Sade Sandilands and Stryker Zablocki got Canada out to a 2-0 lead in the first period. The second however, was a different story as USA scored three unanswered goals in the period from Megan Healy, Sydney Stoughton, and Annabelle Lovell.

Canada tied the game at 3-3 on another goal from Stryker Zablocki with only 58 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime. With overtime solving nothing, the game would be decided in a shootout that saw 14 attempts. 

After each team scored twice, Morgan Stickney shut the door for Team USA, and Adrianna Milani scored the difference maker to give USA the win.