GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. UNITED STATES (FEB. 9)

It’s the final Rivalry Series game on home ice as Canada’s National Women's Team looks to continue its comeback in Game 6 on Friday at the Brandt Centre in Regina.

Last Meeting & Last Game

On Wednesday, Canada came from behind to earn a 4-2 victory over the United States at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon. Brianne Jenner capitalized on a rebound to tie the game in the second period before Ashton Bell, Renata Fast and Laura Stacey scored in the final 8:31 to help Canada stay alive. Ann-Renée Desbiens made 14 saves for the win.

What to Watch

You can never underestimate the ability of Canada’s defence to contribute offensively. Half of the Canadian goals on Wednesday were scored by blue-liners, and that’s a carryover from the PWHL season. Bell has four assists with PWHL Ottawa , while Fast scored her first goal of the season with PWHL Toronto last Saturday to go along with her two assists. And let’s not forget Ella Shelton, who leads all PWHL defenders with nine points (3-6—9) in as many games.

Grace Zumwinkle opened the scoring for the Americans on Wednesday, which isn’t a surprise if you’ve been watching the first month of the PWHL season. Zumwinkle has been terrific with her home-state team in Minnesota. She’s the team’s leading scorer and sits tied for fifth in league scoring with eight points (6-2—8) in nine games. The 24-year-old has participated in two Women’s Worlds and earned a spot on the United States’ 2022 Olympic roster.

Welcome to the Century Club!

It will be a milestone night for Fast, who is set to become the 32nd player—and ninth defender—to play 100 international games with Canada’s National Women’s Team.

With her goal on Wednesday, the Burlington, Ontario product has recorded 44 points (7-37—44) in 99 games wearing the Maple Leaf, good for a tie for 10th all-time among Canadian blue-liners, alongside Carla MacLeod.

A Look Back

It’s a bit of déjà vu from last year, as Canada dropped the first three games before coming back to win the Rivalry Series.

Canada has an 9-2 record in Saskatchewan—and a 2-0 record in Regina—dating back to a three-game, pre-Nagano swing through Saskatoon, Regina and Melfort in October 1997. Jennifer Botterill opened the scoring, and Danielle Goyette and Dana Antal scored twice in the third period to give the Canadians a 3-2 victory over the United States on Oct. 6, 2005.

All-time record: Canada leads 102-78-1 (23-19 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 499
United States goals: 443