In a dominant display of offensive firepower, the United States women’s national hockey team routed archrival Canada 7-2 on Wednesday night in San Jose to kick off the five-game Rivalry Series. Wisconsin star Lacey Eden led the way with two first period goals as the Americans jumped out to a commanding 5-0 lead after just one period and never looked back.
The resounding victory was a measure of revenge for Team USA after Canada spoiled their gold medal hopes at the IIHF Women’s World Championships on home ice back in April. But the U.S. reasserted its supremacy in the first clash between the two powerhouses since then, improving to 9-3-3-7 all-time in Rivalry Series meetings.
USA Comes Out Firing in First Period
It took just over midway through the opening frame for the U.S. to open the scoring. Abbey Murphy, projected to go first overall in next summer’s Premier Women’s Hockey League draft, blasted home a one-timer off a loose puck to put the Americans in front. Murphy’s tally came just as a Canadian penalty expired, giving Team USA a boost of momentum.
The red, white and blue continued to pour it on from there. Defender Savannah Harmon doubled the lead just over a minute later, deflecting in a cross-crease pass from Grace Zumwinkle off the post and behind Canadian goalie Kristen Campbell.
Lacey Eden then took over, netting back-to-back goals to extend the American advantage. The Badgers forward first tipped in a Megan Keller point shot to make it 3-0. Minutes later, Eden scored again from a sharp angle, banking the puck in off Campbell’s pads for a four-goal cushion.
Alex Carpenter capped the first period onslaught with a nifty backhanded finish after teammate Kirsten Simms forced a turnover deep in Canada’s zone. When the dust settled, it was 5-0 USA heading into intermission. The overwhelming start all but put the game out of reach.
Power Play Goal Pads Lead in Second
Team USA picked up where it left off to begin the middle stanza. With Canada’s Sarah Nurse in the box for interference, Hannah Bilka capitalized on the power play to make it a six-goal game. Bilka’s tally came against Ann-Renee Desbiens, who replaced Campbell in the Canadian crease to start the period.
Canada finally got on the board late in the second thanks to markers from Blayre Turnbull and Nurse. But the 6-2 score through 40 minutes still heavily favored the U.S. side seeking to reestablish its position atop the women’s hockey world.
Murphy Tallies Again to Seal the Deal
Murphy notched her second of the night in the third period’s opening moments, sniping a wrist shot past Desbiens to restore USA’s five-goal lead at 7-2. It was a fitting exclamation point on a clinical performance by the Americans, who out-shot their northern neighbors by a 37-21 margin when all was said and done.
We came out really strong in that first period and set the tone for the rest of the game. Our team played with a lot of speed and tenacity, and it paid off. It’s always special to beat Canada.
– Abbey Murphy, Team USA Forward
Looking ahead, these two fierce foes won’t have to wait long for the next chapter in their storied rivalry. Game 2 of the Rivalry Series goes Friday night in Salt Lake City. The series then moves to Boise, Idaho on Sunday before crossing the border to Halifax, Nova Scotia the following week. With early bragging rights secured, the U.S. will aim to ride this wave of momentum as it looks to reaffirm its spot as the world’s premier women’s hockey nation.
