Key Takeaways
- The United States swept the four-game Rivalry Series against Canada, winning the final game 4-1 in Edmonton.
- The U.S. outscored Canada 24-7 overall in the series, with captain Hilary Knight scoring twice in the final game.
- Canada showed improvement in the final game, but ultimately fell short, with Brianne Jenner scoring the team’s lone goal.
- The series was a tune-up for the Olympic Games, with Canada set to defend its gold medal in February.
- Hockey Canada is expected to name its 23-player Olympic roster in early January, with players dispersing to their respective teams before reconvening for a mini-camp in Europe.
Introduction to the Rivalry Series
The United States women’s hockey team completed a sweep of the four-game Rivalry Series against Canada, winning the final game 4-1 in Edmonton. The U.S. outscored Canada 24-7 overall in the series, with captain Hilary Knight scoring twice in the final game. Despite the loss, Canada showed improvement in the final game, with a more physical and structured performance. The series was a tune-up for the Olympic Games, with Canada set to defend its gold medal in February.
Game Recap
The U.S. took an early lead in the game, with defender Caroline Harvey scoring the first goal at 5:13 of the first period. Canada drew even a minute later, with Brianne Jenner scoring off a neutral zone turnover. The U.S. regained the lead in the second period, with Laila Edwards scoring at 7:29. Knight added an insurance goal in the third period, and sealed the win with an empty-net goal. Canada’s Ann-Renée Desbiens made 28 saves in net, while U.S. goaltender Aerin Frankel stopped 23 shots.
Canadian Performance
Canada’s players showed a marked improvement in the final game, with a more physical and structured performance. Captain Marie-Philip Poulin noted that the team competed harder and was more connected than in the previous game. However, the team still struggled to spend enough time in the offensive zone, and gave the U.S. too much space. Veteran forward Brianne Jenner assessed that the team did a better job getting pucks to the net, but needed to draw more penalties. The team’s penalty kill was a bright spot, holding the U.S. power play scoreless on four chances.
U.S. Performance
The U.S. team was led by captain Hilary Knight, who scored twice in the final game. Knight, who has announced that she will retire from international hockey after the Olympic Games, has a long history of success against Canada. She scored the only goal in the first ever Rivalry Series game between the two countries in 2019. The U.S. team also got strong performances from defenders Laila Edwards and Caroline Harvey, who scored the team’s first two goals. Goaltender Aerin Frankel made 23 saves to earn the win.
Olympic Preparations
The Rivalry Series was a tune-up for the Olympic Games, with Canada set to defend its gold medal in February. Hockey Canada is expected to name its 23-player Olympic roster in early January, with players dispersing to their respective teams before reconvening for a mini-camp in Europe. Canada’s players will have to work on their individual preparation and discipline in the coming weeks, with limited time together as a team. As veteran forward Brianne Jenner noted, "It comes down to our discipline, our individual prep, the way we show up at our college teams, at our PWHL (teams) for the next however many weeks. We’re committed to put in that work."
Conclusion
The Rivalry Series was a valuable opportunity for both teams to prepare for the Olympic Games. While Canada showed improvement in the final game, the team still has work to do to catch up to the U.S. The series highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, and provided a glimpse into what to expect in the Olympic tournament. With the Olympic Games just around the corner, both teams will be looking to fine-tune their performances and make a strong push for gold.
