Canada’s National Women’s Team closed out preliminary-round play at the IIHF Women’s World Championship with a 6-1 win over Finland Tuesday night. The win gives Canada second place in Group A with a 3-0-0-1 record.

Highlights:

  • Loren Gabel (Kitchener, Ont./Clarkson University, ECAC) led the way with a pair of goals and an assist.
  • Erin Ambrose (Keswick, Ont.) Rebecca Johnston (Sudbury, Ont.), Brianne Jenner (Oakville, Ont.) and Sarah Nurse (Hamilton, Ont.) rounded out the scoring for Canada.
  • Ann-Sophie Bettez (Sept-Îles, Que.) added a pair of assists, her first points for Team Canada.
  • Shannon Szabados (Edmonton, Alta./Buffalo, NWHL) is now 17-0 against Finland, turning aside 22 of the 23 shots she faced.
  • Canada outshot Finland 49-23.

Quotes:

I thought tonight was the closest we came to executing our game plan for a full 60 minutes. I thought the way we scored goals was really good. We started off right, kept with it and I think our belief in the game plan has grown. We’ve gotten a little bit better every day and this was a nice step today.”

– Team Canada head coach Perry Pearn (Stettler, Alta.) on his team’s performance

 

“We were put together kind of late, so we didn’t have a lot of time together, but we’re slowly trying to get the chemistry. They’re two amazing players, they’re playmakers and they can put the puck in the net. I love playing with both of them. I think I use my speed, Loren is able to put the puck in the net, I’m able to pass to her, she can finish and Jenner [is] great [on] face-offs. The three of us have different strengths that completes the line.”

Bettez on building chemistry with linemates Jenner and Gabel

 

“I’m getting along well with the girls, having fun and playing with Jenner and Ann-Sophie is amazing. The support, positivity and encouragement is amazing and the experience at 4 Nations Cup definitely helped me carry that into each and every game here. I’m just trying to be more confident every time I hit the ice.”

– Gabel on her growth and confidence in her role