International
STFX's Struthers, UPEI’s Brassard, Queen’s Yantsis lead Canada to 9-0 win over Latvia
Leah Herrfort and Maria Dominico had four points each, and Canada outshot Great Britain 84-5 on way to a 14-0 victory, improving their record to 4-0 at the 2023 FISU World University Games.
The Canadians came out firing everything at Great Britain netminder Ella Howard, but the University of Calgary goalie was tremendous in the early going, making a number of saves on grade-a chances. Eventually, in the 12th minute, Canada would get on the board as Queen’s power forward Scout Watkins Southward buried a Shae Demale rebound to make it 1-0.
Canada would continue to pepper Howard, but she stood tall until Waterloo’s Carley Olivier converted a one-timer in the slot from her university teammate Leah Herrfort to double the lead. After 20 minutes the Canadians held a 32-4 shot on goal advantage.
The pipes burst in the second period, with the Canadians controlling the puck, continuing to create offensive chance after offensive chance, and eventually breaking through Howard’s brave performance.
Over twenty minutes, Canada outshot Great Britain 31-0 and outscored them 7-0. Goals in the second came from STFX’s Lea MacLeod, SMU’s Shae Demale, Waterloo’s Leah Herrfort, Guelph’s Hannah Tait, Concordia’s Rosalie Bégin-Cyr, and a pair from Nipissing’s Maria Dominico. Shots favoured Canada 63-4 with one period to go.
“We stuck to our habits. That was what was important today, just sticking to our gameplan and not letting individual efforts take over team habits,” said Saskatchewan’s Isabella Pozzi. “We were supporting each other, finding each other, and using everyone on the ice.”
In the third, with GB out of gas, Canada focused on puck movement and getting everyone involved at the offensive end. Their passing led to some good looks, resulting in a pair of goals for STFX’s Maggy Burbidge, two for Montreal’s Kelly-Ann Nadeau, and Bishop’s Marie-Camille Théorêt.
When the final buzzer sounded, Canada had outshot Great Britain 84-5, including a 62-1 margin over the game’s final 40 minutes.
“Their goalie played amazing. Props to her,” said STFX’s Burbidge. “We were trying to get as many shots as we could, because she was pretty hot. She stopped some unbelievable one-timers, everything coming at her high and low. I congratulated her in the line. She worked her butt off.”
Burbidge didn’t score in her first two games but has three goals over her last two games.
“Playing with amazing players, no matter who you’re with, you’re playing with the best players in the country,” said Burbidge, postgame. “It is a privilege to play with such great players. I am keeping my work ethic strong, and if it goes in the net, it goes in the net. You can’t squeeze your stick. I have been doing that a little bit, but lucky to get a couple there today.”
Maria Dominico had two goals and two assists, while Leah Herrfort had a goal and three assists to lead Canada. Burbidge added three points, as did Carley Olivier, Kelly-Ann Nadeau, and Shae Demale. Elizabeth Mura, Annabel Faubert, Lea MacLeod, Hannah Tait, and Rosalie Bégin-Cyr all had multi-point games.
With the victory, Canada clinches the top seed heading into the semifinals, and get ready to take on the USA on Wednesday evening in the final game of the preliminary round. Puck drop in that game is set for 8 PM ET, in Potsdam, New York.