Written by John Wallow
UTICA, N.Y. (AP) – Taylor Heise, who doesn't yet know her next opponent, took a diplomatic approach by saying she hasn't decided who the U.S. will play in the women's world hockey championship gold medal game.
Still, when given the opportunity to say something derogatory about Canada on Saturday, Heise laughed and said “no” three times, before adding, “I'll keep it a secret if I have to.”
And it will be on the ice that one of the fiercest and longest-running rivalries in global sports and women's hockey, the United States vs. Canada, will be settled once again on Sunday, the 22nd of 23 meetings between the bordering nations since the championship. They will compete for the gold medal. Established in 1990.
Canadians were far more hopeful for a rematch, especially a year after the U.S. defeated Canada 6-3 for the gold medal at the tournament outside Toronto. There's no doubt the Canadians will have the opportunity to give back at the championships in central New York.
“I think it'll feel a little bit special considering they beat us on our home turf last year,” Canadian assistant captain Breia Turnbull said. “Well, this is a big game and it’s a game that we’re ready for and can’t wait to get started.”
The Americans advanced with a 5-0 win over Finland on Saturday. In the game, Laila Edwards had a natural hat trick and Aerin Frankel stopped 15 shots, setting a single-conference record with her fourth shutout.
The Canadians then defeated the Czech Republic (commonly known in English as the Czech Republic) 4-0. Emily Clark and Jocelyn Larocque each had a goal and an assist, and Anne-Reny Desbiens stopped nine shots for her second shutout of the tournament.
For example, Desbian hasn't forgotten the experience of losing 6-3 in last year's final.
“You always want to beat them. Whether it's a rivalry series or a world championship, that doesn't change,” Desbiens said. “Of course I remember last year and I remember what happened. And I want this story to be different this year.”
Meanwhile, Czech coach and former Canadian player Carla MacLeod highlighted how the gap between the rest of the world and the sport's two dominant North American teams is starting to close.
“There was some animosity there, but I take it as a compliment to the Czechs,'' said MacLeod, who has had several big hits, including Marie-Philippe Poulain of Canada and Noemi Neubauerova of the Czech Republic. He talked about a match that resulted in a heavy penalty being awarded. Third period. “If Canadians and Americans are frustrated playing us, then we're doing something right.”
In a tournament where the Czech Republic, Finland and Germany have shown signs of starting to close the competitive gap, the biggest opponents remain the United States and Canada.
The final will be a rematch of Monday's physical, fast-paced, end-to-end qualifying round, which the Americans won 1-0 on an overtime goal from Kirsten Sims.
Edwards was one of four U.S. players to make his tournament debut, along with Sims.
“She stepped up in a way that no one else could. And I'm so proud of her,” said Heise, who scored Edwards' final two goals. “I'm glad she was able to prove it for herself, because when you're young and you're picked for a team like this, you have to go through that process to prove that you're here for a reason. Because sometimes you need a goal like that. But we all knew that all along.”
The 6-foot-1-inch Edwards, a native of Cleveland, was the first black hockey player to be a member of the U.S. national team. Finishing her second season at the University of Wisconsin, she is one of four American players to debut in the tournament and currently ranks with teammate Alex Carpenter for the tournament lead with five goals. are sharing.
“I think it's pretty good,” Edwards said of her growing confidence. “I'm confident in the team anyway. So it always helps my personal confidence. When the team is going well and everyone's playing their best and sharing the puck and doing all kinds of things. When you’re doing things, it really gives you confidence.”
Hannah Birka and Savannah Harmon also scored for the United States, which continued its perfect record by appearing in every World Championship final since the tournament was founded in 1990.
The two world powerhouses in women's hockey have won 21 of 22 world finals, with the only exception being 2019, when host Finland defeated Canada in the semifinals and lost to the United States in a 2-1 penalty shootout. are competing against each other.
The United States has won 10 world gold medals and Canada has won 12. In tournament play, the USA was 18-17 overall against Canada, with both teams scoring 98 points. Canada, on the other hand, has the upper hand in Olympic competition with five gold medals to America's two.
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AP Women's Hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey
