Canada Advances to Final of Air Canada Cup in Germany

RAVENSBURG, Germany - Canada’s National Women’s Under 22 Team advanced to the final of the 2007 Air Canada Cup with an 11-0 semi-final win over Switzerland on January 6th.

Swiss goalie Sophie Anthametten kept her team in the game early as Canada dominated the first period. Sarah Vaillanourt opened the scoring at 8:36 combining on a pretty passing play with Meghan Agosta. Tessa Bonhomme upped the lead to 2-0 banging home a rebound just as a Swiss penalty expired. Hayley McMeekin and Bobbi Jo Slusar earned the assists on the Bonhomme goal.

Team Canada took advantage of penalties to Switzerland to take further control of the game early in the second period. At 2:01 Valerie Chouinard upped the lead to 3-0 with Rebecca Johnston and Sabrina Harbec earning the assists. Just over three minutes later, Harbec added one of her own, converting a pass from Catherine Ward. Laura Fridfinnson scored her first goal of the tournament at 12:13 depositing the rebound from a Jesse Scanzano shot behind Anthametten. Hayley McMeekin and Meghan Agosta rounded out the scoring for the period on similar plays, both roofing centring passes from in tight. Assists went to Dominique Thibault and Tessa Bonhomme on the McMeekin goal while Ashley Riggs fed Agosta the pass.

Switzerland made a goaltending change at the start of the third, but still could not hold off the Canadians. Agosta went on to complete a hat trick scoring at 6:39 when she was sent in alone by Sarah Vaillancourt and Ashley Riggs and again at 9:55 assisted by Bobbi Jo Slusar and Tessa Bonhomme. Sandwiched between the Agosta goals was a marker by Dominique Thibault with assists going to McMeekin and Bobbi Ross. Laura Hosier stopped eleven shots in the Canadian goal to earn the shutout.

Team Canada will play the winner of the Germany/Russia semi final in the gold medal game at 8PM (local time) on Sunday night.

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6

3

11

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Goals/Buts :
1. CAN, SarahVaillancourt (Meghan Agosta) 8:36 PP
2. CAN, Tessa Bonhomme (Hayley McMeekin, Bobbi Jo Slusar) 14:37

Penalties/Pénalités :
Jesse Scanzano CAN (Tripping/Trebucher) 2:08
Lucrece Nussbaum SWI (Holding/Retenir)5:17
Monica Leuenberger SWI (Hooking/Raccrocher) 7:54
StephanieGyseler SWI (Hooking/Raccrocher) 11:04
Stefanie Marty SWI (Interference/Obstruction) 12:33
Sabrina Harbec CAN (Kneeing/Donner du genou) 15:19

Goals/Buts :
3. CAN, Valerie Chouinard (Rebecca Johnston, Sabrina Harbec) 2:01
4. CAN, Sabrina Harbec (Catherine Ward, Annie Guay) 5:17 PP
5. CAN, Sarah Vaillancourt (Ashley Riggs) 10:27
6. CAN, Laura Fridfinnson (Jesse Scanzano) 12:13
7. CAN, Hayley McMeekin (Dominique Thibault, Tessa Bonhomme) 16:20
8. CAN, Meghan Agosta (Sarah Vaillancourt) 17:37

Penalties/Pénalités :
Lucrece Nussbaum SWI (Holding/Retenir) 3:21
Kathrin Lehmann SWI (Tripping/Trebucher) 4:12
Stefanie Wyss SWI (Hooking/Raccrocher) 7:46
Lucrece Nussbaum SWI (Holding/Retenir) 19:10

Goals/Buts :
9. CAN, Meghan Agosta (Sarah Vaillancourt, Ashley Riggs) 6:39 PP
10. CAN, Dominique Thibault (Hayley McMeekin, Bobbi Ross) 8:08
11. CAN, Meghan Agosta (Bobbi Jo Slusar, Tessa Bonhomme) 9:55 PP

Penalties/Pénalités :
Lucrece Nussbaum SWI (Boarding/Donner de la bande) 1:58
Christine Meier SWI (Delay of Game/Retarder le match) 5:17
Monica Leuenberger SWI (Tripping/Trebucher) 9:06
Nadine Ehrbar SWI (Holding/Retenir) 10:29
Valerie Chouinard CAN (Interference/Obstruction) 12:28
Laura Hosier CAN (Interference/Obstruction) served by Hayley McMeekin 16:49
Melanie Haflinger SWI (Charging/Assaut) 58:32