The United States women’s hockey team triumphed over Canada with a commanding 10-4 victory in the third game of the Rivalry Series on March 6, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta. Despite conceding a goal just 48 seconds into the match, the U.S. responded decisively, scoring five consecutive goals after Canada’s early lead.
Kelly Pannek and Abbey Murphy each netted two goals, while Kendall Coyne Schofield contributed one goal and two assists. The U.S. also saw scoring contributions from Tessa Janecke, Jesse Compher, Britta Curl-Salemme, Alex Carpenter, and Kirsten Simms. This win marks the third consecutive victory for the Americans in the four-game series, setting them up for a potential sweep in the final match scheduled for March 9, 2024.
U.S. Takes Charge After Early Setback
Canada’s Sarah Fillier opened the scoring, putting the hosts ahead early. However, the U.S. quickly regained control, showcasing their offensive prowess. They capitalized on defensive lapses from Canada, which has struggled to contain the U.S. attack throughout the series. After Fillier’s goal, the U.S. rattled off five unanswered goals, establishing a commanding lead.
In the second period, Canada managed to fight back with three goals, narrowing the gap to two. Sophie Jaques scored twice, and Julia Gosling added another, keeping the game competitive. The turning point came when Jaques’ second goal survived a video review for goaltender interference, which allowed Canada to start the third period on a power play.
Despite the pressure, Canada’s power play did not convert, and the U.S. quickly resumed its offensive momentum. They scored four more goals, effectively sealing the match and pushing their total to ten—an unprecedented number of goals scored against Canada in their storied rivalry.
Goalkeeping Changes and Team Dynamics
The match also highlighted the challenges faced by Canada’s goaltenders. Ann-René Desbiens started the game but was replaced by Emerance Maschmeyer after allowing five goals on 17 shots. Maschmeyer managed to save 7 of 12 shots in relief but could not stem the tide of U.S. scoring.
In contrast, Gwyneth Philips of the U.S. made 30 saves and was instrumental in maintaining her team’s lead during critical moments of the game. The U.S. demonstrated a more aggressive style, outshooting Canada and capitalizing on mistakes in the defensive zone.
This thrilling match is part of a heated Rivalry Series that has seen the U.S. win all three games so far, following victories in Cleveland and Buffalo in November 2023. As the defending Olympic gold medalists, Canada will look to rebound in the final game of the series before the teams meet again in the upcoming Olympic Games.
The final encounter on March 9, 2024, will be crucial for both teams as they prepare for international competition, with the U.S. aiming to solidify their dominance in this historic rivalry.
