ZLIN, Czech Republic – The U.S. Women’s National Under-18 Team defeated Sweden, 4-0, here tonight at PSG Arena at the 2017 International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 Women’s World Championship. Eight players registered at least one point and Lindsay Reed (Evanston, Ill.) had 23 saves in the shutout.
“We were able to generate a lot of pressure throughout the course of the game and capitalize on some key chances,” said Joel Johnson, head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Under-18 Team. “Everyone contributed and it was a good team win.”
Delaney Drake (Traverse City, Mich.) tallied the lone goal of the opening period by circling in from the side boards and firing a shot past Sweden’s goaltender, Sofia Reideborn. The assist went to Dominique Petrie (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Team USA would take a 1-0 lead in to the first intermission.
At 9:51 of the second period, Anneke Linser (Lino Lakes, Minn.) picked up a rebound at the far post and fired a puck past the goaltender. Jesse Compher (Northbrook, Ill.) and Natalie Heising (Maple Grove, Minn.) registered assists on the play.
Just 53 seconds later, Cayla Barnes (Corona, Calif.) scored a power play goal with a shot through a screen from the point at 10:44. Grace Zumwinkle (Excelsior, Minn.) and Emily Oden (Edina, Minn.) assisted on the goal.
Heising extended the lead to 4-0 at 17:23. She took a pass in the neutral zone from Barnes and skated past a defender into the offensive zone and scored on a shot high blocker. After a scoreless third period, that is how the game would end.
For complete game statistics, click here.
The U.S., which is 2-0-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) at this year’s event, will continue preliminary-round play at the 2017 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship when it takes on Canada at 9:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday (January 10).
NOTES: Natalie Heising was named U.S. Player of the Game … The U.S. outshot Sweden, 61-23. All games from the International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 Women’s World Championship are being streamed live at u18worldwomen2017.iihf.com. Follow @USAHockey on Twitter for live scoring updates with the #U18WWC hashtag.
