Team USA Tops Canada, 3-2, In Game Three of Rivalry Series

KITCHENER, Ontario – Hilary Knight (Sun Valley, Idaho) tallied the game-winning goal 28 second into overtime, to give the U.S. Women’s National Team at 3-2 victory over Canada Thursday evening at Kitchener Memorial Auditorium in game three of the 2023-24 Rivalry Series. 

“I thought our team got stronger as the game went on,” said John Wroblewski (Neenah, Wis.), head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team. “We had a lot of youth and speed out there tonight and I’m proud of how we worked.”

Canada drew the first penalty of the contest with 16:06 left in the first. Team USA’s defense held strong, locking down the extra-skater opportunity. 

Danielle Serdachny got Canada on the board first at 12:16. After receiving a pass off the boards, she one-timed a rising shot to open a 1-0 game. 

Kirsten Simms (Plymouth, Mich.) knotted the game at 1-1 with just under four minutes remaining in the first. The forward forced a turnover at the blue line and carried the puck towards the net, putting a move on the goaltender before slipping it over the goal line. The score marked Simms’ first goal as a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team. 

Just over a minute later, Abbey Murphy (Evergreen Park, Ill.) put Team USA up 2-1. Murphy carried the puck through the middle of the offensive zone, rifling a shot five-hole, to give the U.S. its first lead of the game.