International
La Rue Wins Canada’s Second Medal
Shae Demale scored for the third consecutive game and Kendra Woodland turned away all 22 shots she faced, powering Canada to a 6-0 victory over Japan, improving to 3-0 at the 2023 FISU World University Games.
It didn’t take long for the Canadians to get on the board, as Concordia’s Rosalie Bégin-Cyr corralled a Jenna MacLean rebound and beat Miyuu Masuhara at the 16:11 mark. The goal was Begin-Cyr’s first of the tournament, giving Canada the 1-0 advantage that they’d hold for the rest of the period. After 20 minutes, shots were 16-5 in favour of the Canadians.
In the second period, Canada picked up their game and began to assert themselves against a talented Japanese team that lacked the size and speed to go blow-for-blow with the Canadians.
Nine minutes into the period, off a Japanese turnover deep in their own end, the Canadians created chaos around the crease before Marie-Camille Théorêt jammed it in to double the lead. Thirty seconds later, captain Emmy Fecteau created another turnover with a heavy forecheck, getting it quickly to Alberta’s Madison Willan, who slid it across to a waiting Maggy Burbidge. The STFX star made no mistake for her first of the tournament.
Canada wasn’t done there, continuing to hem Japan in deep and testing Masuhara over and over. SMU’s Shae Demale added to the lead, taking a pass in the slot from Nipissing’s Maria Dominico and firing a laser top shelf past a helpless Masuhara. But there was little reprieve for the netminder, who was beaten by another pro-level shot; this time off the stick of Montreal’s Audrey-Anne Veillette on the powerplay.
Though Japan didn’t test UNB’s Kendra Woodland with volume, they did have a number of good looks in close, all of which were turned away by the U SPORTS save percentage leader. At the end of the second, Canada held a 5-0 lead and a 36-15 advantage in shots on goal.
Fresh off a two goal performance, hear from @SMUHuskies forward @SDemale pic.twitter.com/vZgMpN0b4D
— U SPORTS Team Canada (@USPORTSIntl) January 15, 2023
“We really wanted to make sure we kept the momentum going into the second period, because that was one of our weaknesses in the first two games,” said Demale. “I think we really did that today.”
Japan found another gear in the third period, troubling the Canadians with their speed and tenacity, earning a number of point-blank chances off the sticks of Nagaoka, Sakurai, and Nomura, but Woodland against stood tall.
At the other end, Canada was effective in moving the puck around and winning board battles to extend possessions. They wouldn’t solve Masuhara again until the final minute, when Demale took a lead pass from Waterloo’s sublime puck-moving defender Carley Olivier, streaking in and beating the Japanese goalie with a backhand.
22 shots, 22 saves. Hear from @UNBAthletics goaltender @kendra_woodland after Canada’s 6-0 win over Japan pic.twitter.com/QOaPOq7KMe
— U SPORTS Team Canada (@USPORTSIntl) January 16, 2023
When the final buzzer sounded, Canada had earned a 6-0 victory to move to 3-0 on the tournament, despite a gritty effort from Japan.
“They’re a quick hockey team. We knew we were going to get their best tonight,” said Woodland. “It was hard to keep up with them at some points, but I think we managed well and I am really happy we got the win.”
Demale, playing on a line with Nipissing’s Maria Dominico and STFX’s Lea MacLeod, scored for the third consecutive game, while Dominico added three assists.
“Every forward and every defenceman is very strong, so it’s a great opportunity with each girl you get to play with,” said Demale, postgame. “There are opportunities with every line combination they put together. It’s really cool to see it gel out on the ice.”
Canada has Monday off, but returns to the ice on Tuesday, taking on Great Britain at 4:30 PM in Potsdam, New York.