The USA was probably the better team in the first but went into the locker room down 2-0. The contributing factors were simple: Canada scored with their chances, and at the other end Emerance Maschmeyer was excellent, and had to be on several occasions.
Canada broke the ice with a first goal at 3:29. It wasn’t a fantastic score by any means, but it came after some good pressure on the attacking end. Renata Fast’s shot from the blue line was stopped awkwardly by Hensley, and Sarah Fillier was right there to knock in the rebound.
That goal spurred the Americans on. They put a lot of pressure on the Canadians in their own end and forced numerous turnovers, but missed a couple of seemingly sure goals and Maschmeyer was there for the other chances. Canada then scored a second goal late in the period on the game’s first power play.
Canada’s first power play unit didn’t do much, but when the second unit came on they had possession and created some chances. It was on one of those scrambles at the top of Hensley’s crease that Ella Shelton hit a loose puck under Hensley, who was on the backside after some chaos.
But as always with this rivalry, for every push there’s a pull, for every wave of one way there’s bound to be a wave of the other. Canada was the better team in the second, but it was the Americans who scored the only two goals to even the score, with Hensley making several key saves to keep the score close. The USA capitalized on their first power play early in the period thanks to a bit of luck. Megan Keller’s shot bounced off a Canadian skate and past Maschmeyer at 4:16 to make it a one-goal game.
Canada had a great chance to retake their two-goal lead when Emma Maltais made a perfect pass to Jessie Eldridge skating in the slot, but Eldridge’s redirection hit the post and went safely into the corner. Moments later, the USA tied it. This time it was a Cayla Barnes shot that Kelly Pannek tipped in front at 11:11, and although Canada responded with some pressure, the period ended in a stalemate, setting the stage for a spectacular finish once again.
The Americans came out as the more determined team in the third and were rewarded, again by pressuring the Canadians in their own end and forcing turnovers. Savannah Harmon got the puck to the point and threaded a perfect pass to Lacey Eden down the backcourt, measuring her shot before beating Maschmeyer over her shoulder.
Canada had a great chance to tie on a power play with Kendall Coyne Schofield in the box, but the American PK was perfect and the American captain made up for her transgression with the critical fourth goal. Again, out of possession on the offensive end, Coyne Schofield got his stick on a loose puck at the top of Maschmeyer’s crease at 13:28.
Knight added an empty netter to close out the scoring, bringing it closer and closer to Wickenheiser. He’ll have a great chance to tie and advance to the Canadian bracket on Thursday when the USA plays Hungary.