Canada wins gold in overtime

Another chapter was scripted in the intense rivalry between Canada and the United States on Sunday evening at the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship.

In the gold medal game, it took overtime for Canada to defeat the United States 6-5.

Both teams came out swinging from the moment the puck drop.  Each team was aggressive and it was a see-saw battle until the end with each side trading goals.

Canada striked first as Erin Ambrose’s long shot sailed past the traffic in front of the United States net.  Marie-Philip Poulin’s hard work on making a screen and building traffic was just enough for the puck to get through and beat goaltender Aerin Frankel to give Canada a 1-0 lead at 6:32 of the first period.

However, the United States responded back about two minutes later.  Taylor Heise was able to create another turnover in the neutral zone.  As she did that, Heise collided with Canadian forward Blayre Turnbull.  The puck did get to Laila Edwards, who buried the puck up and over Desbiens to tie the game 1-1. The goal was Edwards’ sixth of the tournament.

Canada was given a great opportunity to regain the lead before the first period would end. The team went on the power play as Kelly Pannek was assessed for a tripping penalty with more than wo minutes remaining in the period, The Canadians were not able to capitalize on the chance; however, Marie-Philip Poulin came very close with a tremendous chance with 48 seconds left and she could not convert into a score.

In the second period, Canada thought they got the go-ahead goal.  Defender Jamie Bourbonnais shot the puck off the glass and it created the start of a 2-on-1 situation.  Julia Gosling wound up and lauched the puck to get it under Frankel’s glove and into the net 3:08 into the second period. The goal was Gosling’s second of the tournament.

The United States would respond with the equalizer with 9:50 remaining in the period.  Hannah Bilka was on the far side of the Canadian zone and passed it to defender Megan Keller, who let it rip and the puck ended up going past Desbien’s legs.

About two minutes later, the United States would go on the power play as Danielle Seradachny was given a slashing penalty. Canada effectively killed the power play and denied the United States of getting a score to take over the lead.

With 3:28 left in the period, Alex Carpenter gave the United States the lead as the play started with the team being successful with the puck pursuit around the net.  The puck reached Carpenter…