One of many largest video games in girls’s hockey happened on Tuesday with the USA assembly Canada in a North America battle for supremacy. There couldn’t be extra parity between the groups forward of the sport, with USA rating 1st in world rankings, Canada 2nd — and solely 10 factors separating the 2. The winner of this recreation secured first of their group, turning into the No. 1 seed coming into the quarterfinals.
The massive query coming into this recreation was whether or not or not Canada goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens might face up to an enormous assault from the U.S. scoring led by Alex Carpenter and Pleasure Dunne. It was made harder for Canada with an harm to Marie-Philip Poulin, retaining the captain out of the sport.
USA opened the scoring with Caroline Harvey taking the puck from the blue line, hesitating within the slot, and GOAL she nets one dwelling simply 3:45 into the sport. A bodily, smothering forecheck compelled Canada to combat out of their zone early, with USA creating ample probabilities and out-shooting their opponents.
Abby Murphy arrange USA’s second GOAL with simply over two minutes left within the interval on a gorgeous backhand cross to Hannah Bilka who slotted it dwelling with ease. At this level Canada was simply attempting to get out of the interval to cease the onslaught, and nearly conceded two extra objectives within the remaining minute on a Hillary Knight slapshot, and a subsequent rebound.
USA leads 2-0 on the first intermission
An early second-period penalty on Canada might have led to the penalty purpose, however resulted in a two-minute interference penalty on Sarah Fillier. GOAL The USA made good on the ability play as Kirsten Simms’ low shot crossed the road and was initially dominated as a lifeless puck, however on evaluate it was clear the complete decide crossed the road giving USA a 3-0 lead.
The most important disparity was photographs. With simply over 12 minutes left within the second interval USA led Canada in photographs 17-6, with just one group getting any high quality appears. Leila Edwards entered the sport to change into the primary black girl in historical past to play hockey for Group USA on the Olympic video games, and she or he threatened immediately on the ability play with key passing — however it didn’t lead to a rating.
GOAL Bilka nets her second and Canada is reeling. They don’t have any solutions for each the variety of probabilities USA is getting, but additionally the standard of their photographs on internet. It’s making an enormous distinction on this recreation.
USA leads 4-0 on the second intermission
It’s clear USA has taken its foot off the gasoline a little bit this era with the photographs coming, however not fairly the identical degree of vitality as beforehand. GOAL What an incredible night time for Laila Edwards who makes historical past with simply over six minutes left within the recreation.
Utter decimation from USA who now lead 5-0 and have outclassed Canada at each flip.
