December 30, 2005
NR.178

CANADA'S NATIONAL WOMEN'S TEAM DEFEATS
USA 4-2 IN PRE-OLYMPIC EXHIBITION

ST. PAUL, MN - Canada's National Women's Hockey Team defeated Team USA in St. Paul, MN at the Xcel Energy Center 4-2 on Friday night.

Canada opened the scoring 1:09 into the first on a strange play as USA goalie Chanda Gunn left the net on a delayed penalty she thought was going against Canada. However the penalty was actually going to Team USA, and with Canada having possession of the puck deep in the USA zone, Caroline Ouellette slid the puck in the empty net.

Forward Gillian Apps increased Canada’s lead to 2-0 when she scored a power play goal off a rebound at the side of the net at 8:06 of the first period. Team USA responded with a power play goal of their own when Natalie Darwitz converted from the slot on the power play to bring USA to within one.

Canada went up 3-1 in the second period when rookie sensation Meghan Agosta fired a backhand shot that beat Gunn through the five hole. Forward Caroline Ouellette made it 4-1 with her second goal of the night as she rifled a shot from the high slot after a great feed by Hayley Wickenheiser on a three on one break.

With a 4-1 lead, Canada started the third period with a five on three advantage, but were unable to convert. USA’s Jenny Potter reduced the deficit to two when she beat Canadian goalie Kim St-Pierre on a breakaway at the twelve minute mark of the third period, but that was as close as USA would get, with Canada taking a 4-1 win over Team USA.

Player of the game for Canada with two goals was forward Caroline Ouellette.

With a 4-2 victory, Canada now holds an 8-1 record versus Team USA this season.

Canada’s final game against Team USA prior to the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy will be in Winnipeg, MB at the MTS Centre on January 1 at 2:30pm (CT), which will also be shown live on TSN/RDS.

» 2005-06 Women’s National team