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