August 21, 2002
Lake Placid, New York

Canada's National Women's Under 22 Team opened their three-game series vs. USA with a 3-3 tie Wednesday at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, NY.

Canada jumped out to a 1-0 lead when 2002 gold medallist Cherie Piper beat USA goaltender Pam Dryer at the 12:30 mark. USA would reply a minute and a half later tying the game at one as Kristen Thomas beat Canadian goaltender Charline Labonte. Gina Kingsbury would put Canada back on top late in the period, giving Canada a 2-1 lead heading into the second period.

Despite chances in the second, Canada could not beat Dryer. USA however would put two pucks past Labonte to take a 3-2 lead with only 20 minutes to play.

USA's lead would be short lived as La Toya Clarke deadlocked things at three just under two minutes into the final period. Both teams tightened up defensively the rest of the way and settled for a 3-3 tie.

Labonte made 21 saves between the pipes for Canada while Dryer stopped 25 shots for USA.

The two teams will play game two of the series Thursday night at 7:00pm (ET) at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid. The final game of the series will be played on Saturday at 1:00pm (ET) at the Olympic Center.