LAKE PLACID, New York – Canada started the annual U22 series against the USA with a 3-1 win Thursday night at the rink where the 1980 Winter Olympics were held in Lake Placid. Goals by Stephanie Jones, Haley Irwin and Laura Fridfinnson and a strong penalty killing effort by Canada contributed to the win.

The USA came right at Canada only 15 seconds into the game. Shannon Szabados had to be sharp as the American line of Parsons-Marvin and Zuag got the first scoring chance of the night. USA held the advantage in shots after the first 20 minutes with nine of their 12 shots coming on three power plays. Canada had the man advantage at end of the period and into the start of the second but was unable to mount any offence. Canada went right back onto the power playe 2:08 into the second but the Americans killed it off, allowing the Canadians just two shots on net.

Canada finally opened the scoring 4:07 into the second when Jones skated the seam into the slot and slid a backhand along the ice into the right corner of the net with Jennifer Wakefield driving the net. Canada added a second goal five minutes later when Rebecca Johnston slid a puck through an American defender’s feet, picked it up behind the US player and then rang her shot off the post. With the puck sitting on the goal line just behind Molly Schaus, Irwin tucked it in for Canada’s second goal of the period. Canada played a strong second period, staying out of the penalty box while taking 15 shots on the US net and holding the Americans to only six shots.

The play in the third period was evenly matched and both teams had numerous scoring chances. Szabdos made a number of great saves early in the period, including stops on Gigi Marvin and Jennelle Zaugg point blank to keep Canada’s lead at two. Just over five minutes into the period, Meghan Agosta fished the puck out from behind the net and slid it through the American defence’s feet onto the stick of an open Fridffinnson, who put Canada up 3-0. With 1:19 left in the third Canadian penalty of the period, American defender Kasey Bellamy fired a point shot through the crowd and by Szabados to score the USA’s lone goal of the night.

The two teams meet again on Friday night at 7:00 pm