Key Takeaways
- Canada is the reigning Olympic gold medalists but is on a six-game losing streak to Team USA.
- The team needs to shuffle its lineup to add speed and find better stylistic fits to match Team USA.
- Difficult decisions may need to be made regarding veteran players such as Brianne Jenner, Natalie Spooner, and Blayre Turnbull.
- The team’s defensive specialists, such as Ashton Bell and Micah Zandee-Hart, are crucial in shutting down Team USA’s speed and offense.
- Ann-Renee Desbiens is the starter in goal, but the team needs a reliable backup goaltender in case she is injured or struggles.
Introduction to Canada’s Team
Canada is the reigning Olympic gold medalists, having taken home the title in Beijing in 2022. However, the team is currently on a six-game losing streak to Team USA, spanning back to the 2025 World Championships. At the Rivalry Series, Team Canada was outplayed in each game, and outscored 24-7. To address this, the team needs to make some changes to its lineup, particularly up front, where they need to add speed and find better stylistic fits to match Team USA.
Forwards and Lineup Changes
Canada’s biggest need up front is to shuffle the deck and find ways to sprinkle speed into every line. While the team should have looked at younger players from the PWHL and NCAA, they didn’t, and they won’t. This means that difficult decisions may need to be made regarding some of the team’s longest-serving veterans, such as Brianne Jenner, Natalie Spooner, Blayre Turnbull, and perhaps Sarah Nurse, depending on her health and PWHL success when she returns to Vancouver’s lineup. Emma Pais, one of the most consistent threats from Canada, gets the nod as a player who could add speed and skill up front. The proposed lineup includes Jennifer Gardiner, Marie-Philip Poulin, and Laura Stacey on the first line, followed by Daryl Watts, Sarah Fillier, and Danielle Serdachny on the second line.
Defensive Specialists
There’s a ton to love about Sophie Jaques’ game, but it comes with significant risk. Positionally, Jaques gives away a lot, and there are moments where she simply misses her coverage. Against the skill of Team USA, that just won’t work. Instead, Canada should rely on its defensive specialists, such as Ashton Bell and Micah Zandee-Hart, who play a consistent and low-risk game. Bell has represented Canada four times and has four gold medals, and she blocks shots, makes low-danger plays, and can defend speed. Zandee-Hart plays a similar game, and together they could form a shutdown duo. Nicole Gosling also deserves another look, but not at the expense of leaving behind these defensive specialists.
Goaltending
Ann-Renee Desbiens is the starter in goal, and with better structure in front of her, she’s still one of the best in the world. However, where there’s concern for Canada is if Desbiens is hurt or stumbles. Emerance Maschmeyer is returning from a season-ending injury from last season, and she lost her starting job in Ottawa to Gwyneth Philips. That’s not the type of confidence in net you want, no matter how good Maschmeyer might be. Canada needs a goaltender that has shown they can star when facing a lot of rubber behind precarious defending, as even at their best, USA is going to find ways to break away and get high-danger chances. Corinne Schroeder has two years of starting experience in just that scenario playing for the New York Sirens, and Eve Gascon is known for big game performances with Minnesota-Duluth.
Proposed Roster
The proposed 25-player roster for Canada includes Jennifer Gardiner, Marie-Philip Poulin, and Laura Stacey on the first line, followed by Daryl Watts, Sarah Fillier, and Danielle Serdachny on the second line. The defensive pairings include Claire Thompson and Renata Fast, Ella Shelton and Erin Ambrose, and Ashton Bell and Micah Zandee-Hart. Ann-Renee Desbiens is the starter in goal, with Corinne Schroeder and Eve Gascon as the backup goaltenders. The extra forwards include Sarah Nurse and Natalie Spooner, while Chloe Primerano is the extra defender. This roster is just a suggestion, and the final lineup will depend on various factors, including player performance and team chemistry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Canada needs to make some changes to its lineup to add speed and find better stylistic fits to match Team USA. The team’s defensive specialists, such as Ashton Bell and Micah Zandee-Hart, are crucial in shutting down Team USA’s speed and offense. Ann-Renee Desbiens is the starter in goal, but the team needs a reliable backup goaltender in case she is injured or struggles. With the right lineup and goaltending, Canada can regain its dominance and take home the gold medal at the 2026 Olympics.
