SASKATOON, Saskatchewan – Sydney Brodt (North Oaks, Minn.) scored the game-winner with 1:38 remaining in the third period to lift the U.S. Women’s National Team over Canada, 2-1, here tonight in its second preliminary round game of the 2018 Four Nations Cup at SaskTel Centre.
“We played our game tonight and came out with a hard-earned victory,” said Bob Corkum, U.S. Women’s National Team head coach. “We’re excited to carry this momentum on to our next match-up against Sweden on Friday.”
The U.S. struck first when Hannah Brandt (Vadnais Heights, Minn.) picked up a loose puck in front of the Canadian net and scored just 1:18 into play.
Canada was called for a penalty with 3:44 remaining in the first period, leading to a series of great chances for the U.S. Cayla Barnes (Eastvale, Calif.) and Megan Keller (Farmington Hills, Mich.) both put shots on net during the power play, but neither could break through.
The U.S. put pressure on the Canadians early in the second period. Two minutes in, Kacey Bellamy (Westfield, Mass.) ripped a shot from the blue line with Brandt streaking in front for the rebound. Brandt had two attempts during the net-front scramble, but wasn’t able to finish.
Sidney Morin (Minnetonka, Minn.) helped keep the score at 1-0 when she broke up a two-on-one breakaway 3:39 into the middle frame. The play started when Canada’s Blayre Turnbull won the puck from Gigi Marvin (Warroad, Minn.) on the blue line and broke free with Laura Stacey, but Morin was in position to make the stop.
Canada evened the score 3:31 into the third period when Kristin O’Neill connected with Loren Gabel in front for a shot that sailed past Alex Rigsby (Delafield, Wis.) on the blocker side.
After nearly 15 minutes of end-to-end action, Brodt gave the U.S. a 2-1 lead with just 1:38 remaining on the clock, banging home a rebound off a shot from Brianna Decker (Dousman, Wis.).
Rigsby held strong in net during Canada’s final push and made 23 saves on the night for her first victory of the tournament.
The U.S. Women’s National Team (2-0-0-0/W-OTW-OTL-L) will wrap up preliminary round play Friday (Nov. 9) when it takes on Sweden. Puck drop is set for 3 p.m. local time/4 p.m. ET and the game will be streamed live on HockeyTV.com.
NOTES: The U.S. outshot Canada, 33-24… Brodt was named the U.S. Player of the Game… Click here for complete game statistics from today’s game… The Four Nations Cup is an annual tournament that has been held in varying forms since 1996 (previously the Three Nations Cup). The U.S. is competing against Canada, Sweden and Finland in this year’s tournament. The U.S. has captured the Four Nations Cup title eight times (1997, 2003, 2008, 2011-12, 2015-17), finished second 12 times and third in the 2013 tournament. The U.S. holds an overall record of 51-5-5-23-2 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T) in 86 Three/Four Nations Cup games … USA Hockey’s international council, chaired by Gavin Regan (Potsdam, N.Y.), has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. national teams.
