ÖSTERSUND, Sweden – Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team earned its second win at the 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, clinching a spot in the semifinals by defeating Sweden 4-2 on Monday.

• Caitlin Kraemer (Waterloo, Ont./Kitchener, OWHA U22 Elite) scored the go-ahead goal 4:58 into the third period and added an empty-net goal.
• Emmalee Pais (London, Ont./London, OWHA U22 Elite) and Alex Law (Whitby, Ont./Durham West, OWHA U22 Elite) each had a goal.
• Emma Venusio (Toronto, Ont./Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite), Abby Stonehouse (Blenheim, Ont./London, OWHA U22 Elite) and Alexia Aubin (Lévis, Que./Stanstead College, JWHL) provided an assist apiece.
• Hannah Clark (Oshawa, Ont./Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite) made 43 saves.
• Canada’s penalty kill was 13-for-14.

Next Game:
Canada vs. United States – Wednesday, January 11 (2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT)

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, are broadcasting 13 games from Östersund Arena; please check local listings for details.

Quotes:
“I think that our team handled the ups and downs well, especially for such a young age. It is super easy to get down on yourself or too high and throw yourself off your game. Something we have focused on right from the start is making sure we can remain composed. We have to remain balanced, on and off the ice; the players on the bench are a big part of staying focused and staying concentrated. It was a different game from last night, that is for sure. We have way more in the tank, way more to show.”
• Head coach Courtney Birchard-Kessel (Mississauga, Ont./Princeton University, ECAC) on adversity

“I’m ready to help the team in whatever way I can, so to jump into the role [of captain] where needed was awesome. When you score you are pretty hyped up, so it was exciting, especially being on a breakaway. Our penalty kill was really good, we have worked on it a lot; we have to focus in on our structure and stay confident in that. The first little bit [in Sweden] was tough, but everyone is into it now and we are ready for the next game.”
• Pais on being a leader

“It was really important to stick together and keep it simple on the penalty kill; we were able to execute it well, which is why we were successful in the end. The lines got mixed up a bit, but it shows that we are playing for each other and no matter what comes our way, we are able to face it head on. The girls were able to work with each other, give it their all, play for one another and that is why we came out with the win.”
• Ava Murphy (Kitchener, Ont./Oakville, OWHA U22 Elite) on finding a way to win

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.