2010-11 National Women's Under-18 Team

CANADA LOSES 5-2 TO U.S. IN 2011 IIHF WORLD WOMEN’S UNDER-18 CHAMPIONSHIP GOLD MEDAL GAME

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Canada had to settle for silver at the 2011 IIHF World Women’s Under-18 Championship, losing 5-2 to the United States in Saturday's gold medal game.

Emily Fulton (Stratford, Ont.) and Katy Josephs (Calgary, Alta.) scored for the Canadians, who were the defending champions in the event.
Alex Carpenter, Hannah Brandt, Layla Marvin, Amanda Pelkey and Milicia McMillen scored for the Americans, who led 2-0 after the first period and had stretched their lead to three goals by early in the second.

“They've got a very talented team and we gave up two power-play goals in the first and I think at the end of the day, that made the biggest difference,'' said Canadian head coach Sarah Hodges. “We got better as the game went on, (but) we just weren't able to keep up with them for 60 minutes.

“But we played well, and I'm proud of the way we played. We just got beat by a good team.”

Ann-Renée Desbiens stopped 25 shots for Canada, while U.S. goaltender Megan Miller made 14 saves.

Canada has battled the U.S. in the final of all four world championship tournaments, the Americans claiming the first two titles and the Canadians finally winning 5-4 in overtime over their rivals last year in Chicago, Ill.

But the U.S. had swept Canada in three exhibition games in August in Lake Placid, N.Y.

The two teams were easily the class of the field, both recording lopsided wins leading into Saturday's championship matchup. Canada had defeated Switzerland 9-1, Finland 6-0 and Germany 8-1 in the opening round, before downing Finland 6-1 in the semis to earn a spot in the final.

The Americans, meanwhile, ran roughshod over the Czech Republic 14-1 in their semifinal.

Hodges admitted it wasn't easy for her players to adjust to the quicker pace of Saturday's game.

“It's difficult but (the Americans) are in the same boat”' she said. “It's definitely not an excuse. We just have to challenge ourselves in practice to make sure that we're able to adjust. I'd say both teams had some issues adapting to the speed, but overall it's not an excuse.''
Hodges said the one big positive she'll draw from the tournament was the improvement she saw in her players since they first gathered for training camp this past summer.

“I just think they played hard, played with a lot of heart, and showed a lot of growth,” she said. “I'm very proud of them.”
Finland beat the Czech Republic 3-0 for the bronze.

Penalties:
   06:22 CAN 27 Laura Stacey (Cross Checking)
   13:44 CAN 26 Sarah MacDonnell (Hooking)
   18:11 USA 10 Milica McMillen (Roughing)

Penalties:
   02:57 CAN 5 Katarina Zgraja (Roughing)

Penalties:
   None