2004 IIHF Women's World Championship

Canada loses first World Championship game ever
By Joel Mac Dougall

The United States broke Team Canada’s 37 game winning streak at the IIHF World Championships Saturday at the Metro Centre. Until that match-up, Canada had won every single game they have played since the inception of the World Women’s Hockey Championship in 1990.

“If you play games, the streak is not going to go on forever,” Canadian head coach Karen Hughes said after the game.

The first period was where this game was decided. Canada came out flat and had trouble dealing with the intense forecheck of the United States. “We weren’t ready to compete with them in the first period,” said Hughes. “We didn’t pass the puck as well as we needed.”

“We didn’t deserve to win today,” remarked Hayley Wickenheiser. “We didn’t physically battle with them.”

Canada frequently attempted passes through the middle that were picked off by the active sticks of the US forwards. The giveaways proved to be costly for the Canadians. One of those passes led to a golden opportunity for the States, but that shot ended up ringing off the post. The play continued and Canada ultimately gave the United States the power-play that opened up the scoring.

Just 30 seconds into the power-play Krissy Wendell put a shot through a mad scramble in front of the Canadian net. Canadian goaltender Kim St. Pierre just could not stop the shot.

Two minutes later Canada had the man advantage and was able restore the tie when Jennifer Botterill put home a pass from Cheryl Pounder on a three-on-one.

The first period battle of special teams continued as the USA went back up by one on another power-play opportunity. Tricia Dunn managed to get just enough off Natalie Darwitz’s shot from the top of the circle to deflect the puck passed a screened St. Pierre. That goal proved to be the game-winner.

The Canadians managed to come out with a better effort for the second, but were stymied by a rock-solid performance from American netminder Pam Dreyer.

“I have a calming style,” said Dreyer. “I played my angles fairly sharp. You’ve just got to smile and play on.”
        
 Darwitz finished the scoring in the second with a shot from behind the goal line that ricocheted off St. Pierre’s mask and found the back of the net. “I just shot the puck and hoped for a good bounce,” said the US forward.

The two teams will have a chance to meet one another again in the gold-medal game Tuesday night. The United States will look to continue the trend that has seen them take eight of the last nine meetings between the two, while Canada will hope to have the chance to exact some revenge for Saturday’s loss.

“We have to learn from our mistakes and come out better on Tuesday,” said St. Pierre.