CANADA OPENS MLP CUP TITLE DEFENCE WITH WIN

RAVENSBURG, GERMANY – Meghan Agosta (Ruthven, ON/Mercyhurst College, CHA) scored twice as Canada’s National Women’s Under-22 Team opened defence of its MLP Cup title with a 3-0 win over Finland on Friday at the Eissporthalle Ravensburg.

Canada’s top line of Agosta, Rebecca Johnston (Sudbury, ON/Cornell University, ECAC) and Haley Irwin (Thunder Bay, ON/University of Minnesota-Duluth, WCHA) combined for six points as the Canadians won for the 20th time in 21 games all-time at the tournament – it was known as the Air Canada Cup for the first six years of its existence, and Canada took home the top prize every time.

Agosta and Johnston continued their hot play in Germany – last year they combined for 22 points in four games as Canada claimed its sixth gold. Agosta’s two points on Friday also moved her past Ashley Riggs to become Canada’s all-time leading scorer at the event, giving her 30 for her U22 career.

After a scoreless first period, the Canadians finally struck almost 14 minutes into the middle frame when Agosta beat Finnish netminder Anna-Kaisa Piironen, with help from Johnston and Irwin.

Catherine Ward (Montreal, QC/McGill University, CIS) scored early in the second period to double the lead and Agosta rounded out the scoring late in the game, again set up by Johnston and Irwin.

Liz Knox (Stouffville, ON/Wilfrid Laurier University, CIS) picked up the shutout between the pipes for Canada, turning aside all 16 shots she faced. The Canadians outshot the Finns 25-16 overall.

Canada wraps up a short round robin when it faces Russia on Sunday (10 a.m. EST).

Goals/Buts :
None/Aucun

Penalties/Pénalités :
08:20 CAN Laura Fridfinnson (Holding/Retenir)
09:44 CAN Courtney Birchard (Hooking/Accrocher)
13:13 FIN Minnamari Tuominen (Tripping/Trebucher)
18:56 FIN Vilma Tarvainen (Tripping/Trebucher)

Goals/Buts :
13:28 CAN Meghan Agosta (Rebecca Johnston, Haley Irwin)

Penalties/Pénalités :
03:32 CAN Mallory Deluce (Hooking/Accrocher)
06:43 CAN Lauriane Rougeau (Interference/Obstruction)

Goals/Buts :
04:57 CAN Catherine Ward (Ann-Sophie Bettez)
16:50 CAN Meghan Agosta (Rebecca Johnston, Haley Irwin)

Penalties/Pénalités :
06:31 CAN Lauriane Rougeau (Interference/Obstruction)
13:40 FIN Saija Sirviö (Interference/Obstruction)