U.S. Women’s National Team Falls To Canada 5-1 in Rivalry Series

Liz Schepers (Mound, Minn.) had an opportunity midway through the second, sitting on the post as a puck trickled to her skates. Canadian netminder Ann-Renée Desbiens slid across the crease to get her pad on the puck, keeping Team USA scoreless. 

With five minutes remaining, the U.S. had two solid looks back-to-back. Hayley Scamurra (Getzville, N.Y.) sliced through the middle of the ice, releasing a rising shot, and then the ensuing rebound corralled directly to Jincy Dunne (O’Fallon, Mo.) who ripped a slapper that Desbiens stopped.  

In the final frame, the U.S. cut the lead in half with 11:24 remaining. As a Team USA power play expired, Hilary Knight (Sun Valley, Idaho) sent a shot from the left point directly on Desbiens, who gave up a rebound right off her right-side pad. Kelly Pannek (Plymouth, Minn.) was waiting on the doorstep to put the puck away for her first goal of the series.

Two minutes later, Canada regained its two-goal lead. Following a fight for the puck along the boards, Canada circled the puck to the point where Claire Thompson beat Frankel on her stick side to put Canada up 3-1. The home team then added two empty-net goals for the 5-1 final score.

The 2022-23 Rivalry Series concludes on Wednesday, when the U.S. faces Canada in Laval, Que. at the Palace Bell. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET and can be viewed on NHL Network. 

NOTES: Canada outshot the U.S., 32-15… Team USA was 0-for-1 on the power play and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill.