HALIFAX, Nova Scotia -- The 2004 United States Womens National Team (3-0-0) downed Canada, 3-1, here today in its first game of the qualification round at the 2004 International Ice Hockey Federation Womens World Championship. The loss was Canadas first-ever in the tournament since its inception in 1990, lowering its overall record to 37-1. U.S. goaltender Pam Dreyer (Eagle River, Alaska) registered 26 saves en route to her third victory against Canada in as many games, dating back to November 2003 when she earned two victories in the Four Nations Cup, becoming the first U.S. goaltender to defeat Canada twice in one tournament.
The U.S. jumped out to an early lead when forward Krissy Wendell (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) notched a power-play goal at 7:08. Canada evened the score exactly two minutes later at 9:08 when Jennifer Botterill tallied a power-play goal of her own. The final goal of the period came once again on the power play. With Canada skating shorthanded, Natalie Darwitz (Eagan, Minn.) rifled the eventual game winner from the right circle and over the shoulder of Canadian goaltender Kim St. Pierre to make the score 2-1.
Darwitz also notched the only goal of the second period at 4:25. St. Pierre fell while trying to grab a loose puck behind the net, and struggled to get in position. Darwitz took advantage of the nearly open net and tossed the puck toward the net from the goal line. The puck bounced off of St. Pierre and into the goal to put the U.S. ahead 3-1.
Goaltender Pam Dreyers 26 saves earned her Player of the Game honors for Team USA. Botterill was named Player of the Game for Canada.
The U.S. plays its final game of the qualification round of the 2004 IIHF Womens World Championship on Monday, facing off against Sweden at 7:00 p.m. EDT. All Team USA games can be heard live via audiocast at www.usahockey.com.
* * *
USA 2 1 0 -- 3
Canada 1 0 0 -- 1
First Period -- Scoring: 1, USA, Wendell (Darwitz, Dunn), 7:08 (pp). 2, CAN, Botterill (Pounder), 9:08 (pp). 3, USA, Darwitz, (unassisted) 13:02 (pp). Penalties: Collins, CAN (slashing), 6:39; Vasichek, USA (interference), 8:30; Ferrari, CAN (body checking), 11:35; Kilbourne, USA (tripping), 13:43; Potter, USA (hooking), 15:13; Brisson, CAN (hooking), 19:29.
Second Period -- Scoring: 4, USA, Darwitz (unassisted), 4:25. Penalties: Ferrari, CAN (body checking), 5:48; Insalaco, USA (tripping) 8:03; Stephens, USA (roughing), 12:10; Ferrari, CAN (holding), 16:29.
Third Period -- Scoring: None. Penalties: None.
Shots: USA: 11-8-5--24. CAN: 5-17-5--27.
Goaltenders: USA, Dreyer (26 saves, 27 shots). CAN, St. Pierre (21 saves, 24
shots).
Referee: Anu Hirvonen. Linesmen: Eeva Haapanen, Johanna Suban.
Attendance: 8,505.
* * * 2004 U.S. Womens National Team Schedule/Results * * *
Date Local Time/EST Match-up Location
March 30 4:00 p.m./3:00 p.m. Switzerland 1, USA 9 Halifax
April 1 4:00 p.m./3:00 p.m USA 8, Russia 0 Halifax
April 3 4:10 p.m./3:10 p.m. USA 3, Canada 1 Halifax
April 5 8:00 p.m./7:00 p.m. USA vs. Sweden Halifax
April 6 8:00 p.m./7:00 p.m. Gold/Bronze-Medal Games Halifax
Tag(s): 2011
