2011-12 National Women's Team

United States 4 - Canada 3 (SO)
 

CANADA’S NATIONAL WOMEN’S TEAM FALLS 4-3 IN GOLD MEDAL SHOOTOUT AT 2011 4 NATIONS CUP

NYKÖPING, Sweden – Canada settled for the silver medal at the 2011 4 Nations Cupwomen's hockey tournament after dropping a 4-3 decision to the United States on Sunday.

American goalie Jessie Vetter stopped Canadian forward Hayley Wickenheiser (Shaunavon, Sask.) in the third round of the shootout to end it.

Media Gallery | Buy photos at HockeyCanadaImages.ca

“We couldn't have had a better player to have the game on her stick,” said Canadian head coach Dan Church. “Sometimes it goes that way in a shootout.”

The Canadians had tied the game with just over four minutes left in regulation on a second goal that period from Natalie Spooner (Scarborough, Ont.).

“I was really proud of their ability to be resilient and bounce back,” Church said of his players. “Every time (the U.S.) got up, we battled back.”

After a scoreless overtime session at the Stora Hallen arena, both teams scored in the first round of the shootout and were stopped in the second round.

Hilary Knight then scored for the U.S. to put the pressure on Wickenheiser.

“To lose in a shootout is always disappointing,” said Jayna Hefford (Kingston, Ont.), who had Canada's lone shootout goal. “It's a tough way to lose, but we're trying to take the positives out of this week.”

Caroline Ouellette (Montreal, Que.) had the other goal for Canada. Kelli Stack scored two goals for the United States and Jenny Potter added a single.

“I'm pleased with how our kids played,” said American coach Katey Stone. “We had a lot of jump. We put a ton of pressure on in the overtime. This is just the beginning of the season and a good win to build on.”

The U.S. fired 56 shots on Shannon Szabados (Edmonton, Alta.), while Vetter faced 35 shots in the American net.

“They're young and they're quick and they're really skilled,” Hefford said. “We know we need to match that.”

Canada added several young players to the lineup for the tournament. Church said it's always a good experience when you play Canada's archrival twice in one week.

“Evenly matched, and sometimes you come out on the wrong side,” Church said. “There are definitely things we need to improve. If we can do that moving forward, we can look at this as a success in the long run.”

The Canadians defeated the Americans 3-1 in the preliminary round.

“Ultimately, our goal is to win a world championship and to take that back from the U.S.,” Church said. “We want to point ourselves in that direction.”

The 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship will be played April 7-14 in Burlington, Vt.

The Canadians have won 12 gold and four silver medals in 4 Nations Cup and 3 Nations Cup tournaments since the first in 1996.

It was the Americans' first gold medal since a 3-2 shootout win over Canada in 2008 at Lake Placid, N.Y. Canada won the tournament last year in St. John’s, N.L.

 

Game Information
Game Number 8 Round Gold
Arena Stora Hallen City, Country Nyköping, SWE
Month / Day / Year 11/13/2011 Time 09:00 AM ET
Attendance Game Status Final

Box Score   1     2     3     OT1     SO   Total
United States (USA) 1 0 2 0 1 4
Canada (CAN) 0 1 2 0 0 3

Goals/Penalties
First Period
Goals:
   01:10 USA 18 Kelli Stack (17 Jocelyne Lamoureux, 7 Monique Lamoureux-Kolls)

Penalties:
   02:43 CAN 22 Hayley Wickenheiser (Abuse of Official)
   10:08 CAN 3 Jocelyne Larocque (Bodychecking)
   10:23 USA 18 Kelli Stack (Roughing)
   12:53 CAN 21 Haley Irwin (Boarding)
   15:43 USA 7 Monique Lamoureux-Kolls (Tripping)
   17:21 CAN 21 Haley Irwin (Tripping)

Second Period
Goals:
   19:30 CAN 13 Caroline Ouellette (8 Laura Fortino, 5 Lauriane Rougeau)

Penalties:
   05:15 USA 26 Kendall Coyne (Hooking)
   16:02 USA 10 Meghan Duggan (Bodychecking)

Third Period
Goals:
   02:36 USA 12 Jenny Potter (21 Hilary Knight) PP
   06:46 CAN 24 Natalie Spooner (13 Caroline Ouellette)
   09:53 USA 18 Kelli Stack (17 Jocelyne Lamoureux, 11 Lisa Chesson)
   15:49 CAN 24 Natalie Spooner (22 Hayley Wickenheiser)

Penalties:
   01:30 CAN 14 Bobbi Jo Slusar (Tripping)
   11:44 CAN 21 Haley Irwin (Abuse of Official)
   11:44 CAN 21 Haley Irwin (Hooking)
   19:09 CAN 14 Bobbi Jo Slusar (Roughing)
   19:09 USA 17 Jocelyne Lamoureux (Slashing)

Overtime

Goals:
   None

Penalties:
   00:31 CAN 22 Hayley Wickenheiser (Cross Checking)


Goaltenders
United States
31 Jessie Vetter On 1/00:00 Off 4/10:00
Canada
1 Shannon Szabados On 1/00:00 Off 4/10:00

Shots on Goal   1     2     3     OT1   Total
United States 22 8 17 9 56
Canada 7 17 7 4 35

Shootout Summary
Player Goals/Save
18 Kelli Stack  (United States) Goal
16 Jayna Hefford  (Canada) Goal
28 Amanda Kessel  (United States) Save
23 Mélodie Daoust  (Canada) Save
21 Hilary Knight  (United States) Goal
22 Hayley Wickenheiser  (Canada) Save

» Game Notes

For more information:
André Brin Director, Communications | Directeur, relations médias