January 10, 2009
NR.011

CANADA’S NATIONAL WOMEN’S UNDER-18 TEAM WINS SILVER MEDAL AT 2009 IIHF WORLD WOMEN’S UNDER-18 CHAMPIONSHIP

FÜSSEN, GERMANY – Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team has won the silver medal at the 2009 IIHF World Women’s Under-18 Championship after falling 3-2 in overtime to the United States in Saturday’s gold medal game. It is the second consecutive year Canada has won silver at the world championship.

"I'm so happy with how the team played this week,” said Canadian head coach Stephanie White. “They played with skill, determination and heart every game. Although we wanted to win a gold medal, I'm extremely proud of what we accomplished."

On Saturday, Jessica Wong (Baddeck, NS/Stoney Creek, PWHL) scored the game-tying goal with less than eight minutes to go and complete the Canadian comeback from a 2-0 second-period deficit, but the Americans took advantage of a power play in overtime to score the game-winning goal. Melodie Daoust (Valleyfield, QC/Sélects, Midget AA), who finished with a team-high six goals, also scored for Canada. Roxanne Douville (Beloeil, QC/Edouard-Montpetit, Collégial AA) finished with 29 saves as Canada outshot the Americans 40-32 overall.

"I think we can be proud of the way we played,” said Brianne Jenner, Canada’s captain. “I don't think we have any regrets. It's just disappointing because we weren’t able to bring home the gold medal."

Following the game, Daoust, Douville and Marie-Philip Poulin (Beauceville, QC/Dawson College, Collégial AA) were recognized as Canada’s top three players for the tournament.

Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team includes two goaltenders, six defencemen and 12 forwards. Eighteen of the 20 players were members of Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team for a three-game series against the United States in August in Lake Placid, NY, and all 20 participated in the 2008 National Women’s Under-18 Championship in Napanee, ON, including six members of Team Ontario Red, which captured its fifth consecutive gold medal.

The National Women’s Under-18 Team is a key component of Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence, which, along with the under-22 program, helps identify, evaluate and develop female hockey players for Canada’s National Women’s Team.