GAME STATS

TV: TSN | Stream: TSN Direct

Canada has fought its way back from a slow start at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship and will face the United States in the final on Monday night, just one win away from its sixth gold medal.

LAST GAME

After falling 2-0 to Finland in its prelim opener last Monday, Canada got its revenge in the semifinals, booking its ticket to the gold medal game thanks to a 2-1 win on Sunday afternoon. Jade Iginla scored her first of the tournament in just her second game, and Madison Chantler netted the game-winner with 9:30 left to send Canada to its 13th gold medal game.

The U.S. came away with a narrow semifinal win to go to its 13th straight final, edging Sweden 3-2. Sydney Morrow opened the scoring for the Americans in the first, but the Swedes scored twice in the second to take a lead to the final frame. There would be no upset, though – Margaret Scannell tied things up early in the final frame and Grace Dwyer scored with 6:31 left to give the U.S. a shot at its ninth world title.

LAST MEETING

Canada suffered its worst loss ever to the Americans, getting blanked 7-0 in the prelim finale The U.S. capitalized on Canada’s penalty trouble, going 3-for-7 on the power play. After allowing five goals on 18 shots, Hailey MacLeod was replaced by Mari Pietersen, who finished out the game with two goals on 14 saves and has played every minute in the Canadian goal since then.

WHAT TO WATCH

Although she hasn’t stood out through goals and assists (she has 1-2—3 in five games), Karel Préfontaine has been a presence for Canada. An alternate captain and top-line winger, Préfontaine is an end-to-end player, limiting scoring opportunities on the backcheck and using good up-ice vision to break the zone. Against the Americans she’ll need to utilize her playmaking abilities to create more quality chances and use her strength to win puck battles in the corners.

While she hasn’t been kept as busy as other goaltenders in the tournament (a testament to the United States’ puck control), Annelies Bergmann boasts the best save percentage in the tournament (.957), allowing just three goals in three games. Solving Bergmann early will be key, especially after she posted a 25-save shutout against the Canadians in the preliminary round.

A LOOK BACK

In a tale of two goliaths, Canada and the United States have faced off against each other 20 times over the years, including 12 of the 13 gold medal games. Of their 20 matchups, 10 have required overtime (including the most recent Canadian gold in 2019), with two decided in a shootout.

Canada’s most comfortable came in the 2014 gold medal game. Sarah Potomak and Ève-Audrey Picard scored twice and Shea Tiley made 26 saves in the 5-1 win, earning Canada a third-straight gold medal.

All-time record: U.S. leads 13-7 (6-4 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 42
United States goals: 59