COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Hilary Knight (Sun Valley, Idaho) scored, but the U.S. Women’s National Team fell to Canada in overtime, 2-1, here tonight at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, in an exhibition game in preparation for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games.
“Tonight of course wasn’t the result that any of us wanted,” said Robb Stauber, head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team. “We’re a highly skilled team and we need to make sure that we go out and play fast. The goal for us is to be hitting on all cylinders in February.”
Canada struck first on the power-play with 2:45 remaining in the first when Marie-Philip Poulin shot from the point to beat U.S. goaltender Maddie Rooney (Andover, Minn.) far side. Canada took the one-goal advantage into the first intermission.
Team USA had multiple chances on goal during a net-front scramble 2:05 into the middle stanza, but was unable to even the score.
With 5:58 remaining in the middle frame, Kendall Coyne (Palos Heights, Ill.) skated down the right side and dished a pass to Knight, who put home the equalizer past Canadian netminder Shannon Szabados.
The teams traded chances down the stretch in the second period and throughout the final frame, but neither could net the go-ahead goal as the game went into overtime.
Canada ended the game when Jennifer Wakefield banged home a loose puck in the crease with 26 seconds left in overtime, accounting for the 2-1 final.
Rooney stopped 24 of 26 shots on goal.
The 23-player 2018 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team will be announced on Jan. 1, 2018.
NOTES: Team USA outshot Canada, 35-26… For complete game statistics, click here… For full coverage of the U.S. Women’s National Team, click here. Follow along on social media @USAHockey on Twitter and Instagram, and Facebook.com/uswomenshockey.
