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CANADA INTO FINAL AT HOCKEY CANADA CUP AFTER TESTY SEMIFINAL WIN OVER SWEDEN
VANCOUVER _ If Canada wanted a shot of adrenaline to take into Sunday's final against the U.S. at the
Hockey Canada Cup, they got it from Saturday's nasty 7-2 semifinal win over Sweden.
A couple of near-line brawls - a rarity in women's hockey - erupted at the end of the second and third
periods as the Canadians took exception to Swedish assistant captain Danijela Rundqvist's play.
Canadian captain Hayley Wickenheiser yanked the helmet off Rundqvist in the final minute of the game. She
said Rundqvist slough-footed Marie Phillip-Poulin after the faceoff.
"Those are the times when the team rallies together and it brought us a lot of emotion on the bench,''
Wickenheiser said. "It's a whole new game against the U.S.
"We've got to regroup and enjoy this one because it was kind of fun to play.''
Canada and the U.S., a 4-0 winner over Finland earlier Saturday, will meet in Sunday's final (TSN, tape
delay midnight ET) in the Olympic test event.
Wickenheiser, from Shaunavon, Sask., and Sarah Vaillancourt of Sherbrooke, Que., each had a pair of goals
Saturday.
Jayna Hefford of Kingston, Ont., Gina Kingsbury of Rouyn-Noranda, Que., and Poulin of Beauceville, Que.,
also scored in front of 2,751 at GM Place, which will be called Canada Hockey Place during the Olympic Games
in February.
Meghan Agosta of Ruthven, Ont., had three assists and Winnipeg's Jennifer Botterill collected a pair of
helpers. Kim St. Pierre of Chateauguay, Que. made nine saves for the win.
Rundqvist and Isabelle Jordansson countered for the Swedes, who will play Finland for bronze Sunday.
Goaltender Sara Grahn was tenacious in net with 37 saves, but was often left unprotected by the defence in
front of her.
Sweden beat Canada for the first time Nov. 7, 2008 at the Four Nations Cup with a 2-1 overtime victory and
Grahn in net.
Canada's win Saturday was its third straight against the Swedes since then. The hosts scored six
unanswered goals in the first two periods, but it was far from a tame affair.
Rundqvist and Canadian defenceman Gillian Ferrari went down in a heap along the boards late in the second
period and Rundqvist shoved her gloves in Ferarri's face. Canada's Gillian Apps threw herself on top of
Rundqvist which brought Anna Borgqvist into the fray followed by Swedes and Canadians on both sides.
The principles involved all received roughing minors and Rundqvist got a double minor.
"There was lots happening in the game for a change,'' Wickenheiser said. "We've seen that movie many times
over the years with (Rundqvist) in particular.
"We talked as a team about playing with more grit and energy and emotion. We wanted to send a message that
we're not to be pushed around or outdone in our own building.''
The Americans have won five of their last seven games against Canada, including Thursday's 4-2 victory to
end the preliminary round.
"Play with an attitude,'' was what Canadian head coach Melody Davidson planned to tell her players heading
into the final, although they already seemed to have that against the Swedes.
"We've got nothing to lose. It's the beginning of the year and we're in our fifth or sixth game of the
season. We're in the Olympic venue,'' Davidson said. "We've got to show up and play and see what the score is
when the buzzer rings.''
The U.S. will be more rested than Canada in the second game for both teams in as many days.
"When you're playing five games in seven days conditioning becomes a factor and we're in the early part of
September and not the latter part of January,'' U.S. coach Mark Johnson said.
"Fatigue becomes a little bit of a concern so hopefully we'll be able to respond in tomorrow's night's
game similar to the last time we played the evening game. We're playing for a championships now so the
excitement should be a little bit higher.''
U.S. captain Natalie Darwitz's status for the final is uncertain. She was shaken up after she was knocked
hard into the corner boards by Finnish defender Mira Jalosuo late in the third period.
"Probably a little bit scared more than anything when you go into the boards like that,'' Johnston said.
"I think she'll be fine and we'll see how she's feeling tomorrow morning.''
Canadian forward Cherie Piper went down hard during the final drill of the pre-game skate Saturday and
immediately left the ice holding her arm. She was scratched from the lineup and replaced by Poulin, who was
slated to sit out the game. Davidson said Piper would be a game-day decision.
Meghan Duggan scored a hat trick and Jocelyne Lamoureux also had a goal for the U.S. against Finland.
Goaltender Jessie Vetter made 19 saves and Finnish counterpart Noora Raty stopped 31 shots.
Notes: Kingsbury played her 100th game Saturday and became the 16th player to do so . . . Canadian
defenders Meaghan Mikkelson and Jocelyne Larocque also sat out the game along with goaltender Charline
Labonte (ankle), defenceman Delaney Collins (post-concussion) and Jennifer Wakefield (shoulder).
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