Renewing rivalries, Canada and the United States entered the final game of Group A Preliminary Round play at the 2022 IIHF Women's World Championship with identical 3-0 records. Having amassed 25 goals through the first three games, the U.S. featured the most potent offence of the tournament.
Versus Canada, the offensive juggernaut continued, as five different skaters recorded a goal in a 5-2 triumph at KVIK Hockey Arena in Herning, Denmark on Aug. 30.
With netminder Emerance Maschmeyer earning her second start of the tournament for Canada, she kept the U.S. off the scoresheet in the opening period. Canada opened the scoring, as Sarah Fillier found the back of the net at the 3:29 mark, her fourth goal of the tournament, scoring on Nicole Hensley. Coincidentally, Hensley was also making her second start in tournament competition.
Marking the first time in the entire tournament that the U.S. trailed, Canada added to its lead. Before the first expired, Ella Shelton scored her first goal of the 2022 women's worlds, capitalizing on the power play, as Victoria Bach and Kristin O’Neill earned the assists.
Taking advantage of a power play opportunity in the second period, with veteran star Meaghan Mikkelson called for hooking, blueliner Megan Keller scored for the United States.
Redeeming herself for a roughing call in the first which allowed Shelton to score, Kelly Pannek scored at the 31:11 mark, tying the score, as the U.S. pelted Maschmeyer with 16 shots in a highly dominant second period.
Heading into the third period, momentum shifted into the favour of the U.S. Forward Lacey Eden provided the Americans with their first lead of the game, with Canada facing their first deficit of the tournament. Although the Canadians recorded 11 shots on net in the third, their efforts could not restore the lead.
Instead, the U.S. added to its lead, as two of their most notable players stepped up. Reputed as one of the world’s finest players, Kendall Coyne-Schofield scored an even-strength goal, doubling the American lead. As a side note, Savannah Harmon assisted on the first two goals of the period.
Opting for an extra attacker after removing Maschmeyer at the 58:11 mark, Canada could not chip away at the U.S. lead. Instead, four-time Olympian Hilary Knight placed the puck into the empty net, victory assured with a 5-2 score, allowing her team to remain undefeated.
Outscoring their opponents by a cumulative 30-3 mark in the preliminary round, the U.S. clinched first place in Group A, while Canada, finishing second, both qualified for the quarterfinals. While the U.S. shall challenge Hungary, led by head coach, and former Team Canada blueliner, Delaney Collins, Canada will play Sweden, who finished in second play in Group B competition.