2011 IIHF Women's World Championship

CANADA TOPS U.S. TO OPEN PRE-WORLDS SCHEDULE

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Sarah Vaillancourt (Sherbrooke, Que./Montreal, CWHL) led the way with a goal and an assist as the National Women’s Team started its road to the 2011 IIHF World Women’s Championship with a 3-1 pre-tournament win over the United States on Thursday night.

Vaillancourt’s goal was the first of three to beat American netminder Brianne McLaughlin in the second period as the Canadians did all of their damage in the middle frame.

Canada held a 9-8 advantage in shots on goal in the first period, but solid play from McLaughlin and Canadian netminder Shannon Szabados (Edmonton, Alta./Grant MacEwan University, ACAC) sent the game to the intermission scoreless.

It took just 1:55 for the Canadians to get on the board in the second period, as Hayley Wickenheiser (Shaunavon, Sask./University of Calgary, CIS) set up Vaillancourt for a 1-0 lead.

The lead stretched to 2-0 when Vaillancourt and Catherine Ward (Montreal, Que./Boston University, HE) combined to set up Meaghan Mikkelson (St. Albert, Alta./Edmonton, WWHL), and Jayna Hefford (Kingston, Ont./Brampton, CWHL) made it a three-goal advantage with a shorthanded effort four minutes later.

The Americans finally got on the board thanks to a Jen Schoullis goal at 16:39 of the second period, but that would be the only puck to beat Szabados, who made 17 saves to record the victory in the Canadian goal.

The two teams wrap up the pre-tournament mini-series on Friday night at the Ice Cube, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. ET.

Goals/Buts : 
none/aucun

Penalties/Pénalités : 
12:33 USA Kelley Steadman (Body-checking/Mise en échec corporelle)

Goals/Buts : 
01:55 CAN Sarah Vaillancourt (Hayley Wickenheiser)
09:14 CAN Meaghan Mikkelson (Catherine Ward, Sarah Vaillancourt)
13:40 CAN Jayna Hefford SH/DN
16:39 USA Jen Schoullis (Julie Chu)

Penalties/Pénalités : 
06:54 CAN Haley Irwin (Tripping/Faire trébucher)
11:48 CAN Tessa Bonhomme (Body-checking/Mise en échec corporelle)

Goals/Buts : 
none/aucun

Penalties/Pénalités : 
02:22 USA Karen Thatcher (High-sticking/Bâton élevé)
07:03 USA Angela Ruggiero (Roughing/Rudesse)
07:03 CAN Jennifer Wakefield (Slashing/Coup de bâton)
08:55 USA Molly Engstrom (Tripping/Faire trébucher)
19:26 CAN Bobbi-Jo Slusar (Tripping/Faire trébucher)