Canada's Women's Olympic Centralized Team Splits Against USA

CHICAGO, IL – Canada’s Women’s Olympic centralized team defeated Team USA 3-1 on Thursday night at the United Center in Chicago, IL to split a two game series with USA.

USA opened the scoring with goal by forward Sarah Parsons as she fired a shot through Canadian goaltender Charline Labonte’s legs from the right hash marks just 2:56 into the first.

Canada responded as two rookies connected when Meghan Agosta sent a perfect pass to the slot on to the tape of Katie Weatherston who redirected the puck past USA goaltender Pam Dreyer to tie things at 1-1 after one period.

With a scoreless second period, Canada emerged in the third period when Gillian Apps scored to secure the victory for Canada.

The game winning goal came at 3:40 from Canada’s Gillian Apps as she received a perfect pass from Hayley Wickenheiser on a two on zero break to score the winner.

Charline Labonte made 27 saves in net for Canada while her counterpart Pam Dreyer made 29 saves for the USA.

Canada now has a 7-1 record over the USA this season, and will face them two more times prior to the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, December 30 in St. Paul, MN at the Xcel Energy Center, and January 1 in Winnipeg, MB at the MTS Centre.

Canada’s players will leave Chicago and fly to their various hometowns as they will enjoy three days off before returning to Calgary to resume training on Tuesday, December 6.