COTTRELL LEADS THE WAY WITH FIVE POINTS AS USA SHUTS OUT SWITZERLAND

Two game, two shutouts for the USA at the 2008 IIHF World Women’s Under-18 Championship.

Player of the Game Ashley Cottrell scored twice and added three assists, Brooke Ammerman had a hat trick and Alev Kelter and Amanda Kessel chipped in with three assists each as the Americans notched their second consecutive 11-0 win, topping Switzerland on Tuesday night.

Ammerman scored twice in a five-goal first period and added her third marker early in the third as the USA put the game out of reach early. The Americans outshot the Swiss 63-4, giving them a remarkable 130-7 shots on goal advantage in two games.

Sarah Erickson, with a pair of goals, and Kendall Coyne joined Ammerman on the scoresheet for the Americans in the first period, while goaltender Alyssa Grogan was tested just twice, compared to the 20 shots directed as Swiss netminder Sophie Anthamatten.

Anthamatten, who made 52 saves, was a deserving recipient of her team’s Player of the Game honour.

Cottrell scored the lone goal of a second period that saw Anthamatten steal the show, turning away 18 of the 19 shots fired her way.

But the American offensive juggernaut got back on track in the final 20 minutes, as Corey Stearns scored twice and Cottrell, Ammerman and Madison Packer – with her fourth goal in two games – dented the twine behind Anthamatten to round out the scoring.

The Americans face their stiffest test of the tournament on Wednesday when they face Sweden in a battle of undefeated teams with first place in Pool B on the line. Puck drop for that game is set for 4:15 p.m. MT at Father Bauer Arena.

The Swiss, out of the medal hunt after an 0-2 start, wrap up the round robin against Russia, with puck drop set for 4:00 p.m. MT at Norma Bush Arena.