CANADA BEATS UNITED STATES 3-2 IN UNDER-18 WOMEN'S HOCKEY EXHIBITION

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. - Hannah Miller and Rebecca Leslie each had a goal and an assist as Canada held on to beat the United States 3-2 Friday in a women's under-18 exhibition hockey game.

Breanne Wilson-Bennett and Leslie scored in the first period to give Canada an early lead, and Miller made it 3-0 at 7:54 of the third period.

Maliya Rodgers and Lexie Laing replied for the Americans to make the game close.

“I thought we came out flying, we played a good first period,” Canada head coach Laura Schuler said. “We talked about how the U.S. would be coming out hungrier, having played one game against us and knowing what we were going to throw at them. So we had to be prepared for that and I think we did a really good job.”

Kassidy Sauvé stopped 22 of 24 shots for the Canadians.

“Our goalie came up pretty big with some really nice saves for us,” Schuler said.

Maddie Rooney made 31 saves for the United States.

Canada has won the first two games of the three-game series between the rivals. The final game is Sunday morning.

“We just need to keep with our game plan, play calm and keep doing what we're doing,” Leslie said. “The Americans have a really good team, but we've been working hard, battling as hard as we can and finishing really well.”

The games are part of Canada's preparation for the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women's World Championship next April. Schuler is getting her first look at the potential Canada team in Lake Placid, and is liking how the players are coming together.

“One of the things we're doing as a coaching staff is making sure everyone has a role on the team,” Schuler said. “I think when you do that it really helps to build team chemistry.”