Canada downed the US 3-1 on Thursday night in game one of a two game pre-worlds exhibition series being held at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube in Ann Arbor, MI. Canada brought it's roster ready for Worlds into the battle while the US dressed 20 of it's 30 member selection camp roster for the game. The ten players that sat out today's game for Team USA saw action during the teams HS exhibition game in Ann Arbor last night.
After a scoreless first period that saw just a single penalty to Kelly Steadman of Team USA, Canada opened things up in the second. Sarah Vaillancourt got her team on the board at the 1:55 mark on a nice snipe assisted by Haley Wickenheiser. Meghan Mikkelson gave Canada some breathing room on a goal assisted by Catherine Ward and Sarah Vaillancourt 9:14 into the frame. Canada would score their final goal of the game with 8 seconds remaining on a Tessa Bonhomme checking penalty as Jenna Hefford picked up the unassisted shorthanded goal. Despite being down 3-0 Team USA managed to rally and cut the lead to 3-1 as Jen Schoullis scored on a goal assisted by Julie Chu.
The final period ended much like the first as both teams clamped down on the scoring chances as Canada managed just six shots in the period to the USAs four. In the game the Canadians looked much more fluid than the chaotic at times lines the USA put out at their end. For the Game Brianne McLaughlin made 21 shots in her US National team debut against Canada. Shannon Szabados had 18 stops while recording the victory.
Sitting out tonight for the USA were Olympians Molly Schaus, Kacey Bellamy, Hilary Knight, and Jocelyne Lamoureux along with Josephine Pucci, Anne Schleper, Alex Carpenter, Kendall Coyne, Amanda Kessel, and Taylor Wasylk all of which I would expect to see in tomorrow nights game.
Box Score from USA Hockey
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