2011-12 National Women's Team

CANADA’S NATIONAL WOMEN’S TEAM FALLS 4-3 IN GOLD MEDAL SHOOTOUT AT 2011 4 NATIONS CUP

NYKÖPING, Sweden – Canada settled for the silver medal at the 2011 4 Nations Cupwomen's hockey tournament after dropping a 4-3 decision to the United States on Sunday.

American goalie Jessie Vetter stopped Canadian forward Hayley Wickenheiser (Shaunavon, Sask.) in the third round of the shootout to end it.

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“We couldn't have had a better player to have the game on her stick,” said Canadian head coach Dan Church. “Sometimes it goes that way in a shootout.”

The Canadians had tied the game with just over four minutes left in regulation on a second goal that period from Natalie Spooner (Scarborough, Ont.).

“I was really proud of their ability to be resilient and bounce back,” Church said of his players. “Every time (the U.S.) got up, we battled back.”

After a scoreless overtime session at the Stora Hallen arena, both teams scored in the first round of the shootout and were stopped in the second round.

Hilary Knight then scored for the U.S. to put the pressure on Wickenheiser.

“To lose in a shootout is always disappointing,” said Jayna Hefford (Kingston, Ont.), who had Canada's lone shootout goal. “It's a tough way to lose, but we're trying to take the positives out of this week.”

Caroline Ouellette (Montreal, Que.) had the other goal for Canada. Kelli Stack scored two goals for the United States and Jenny Potter added a single.

“I'm pleased with how our kids played,” said American coach Katey Stone. “We had a lot of jump. We put a ton of pressure on in the overtime. This is just the beginning of the season and a good win to build on.”

The U.S. fired 56 shots on Shannon Szabados (Edmonton, Alta.), while Vetter faced 35 shots in the American net.

“They're young and they're quick and they're really skilled,” Hefford said. “We know we need to match that.”

Canada added several young players to the lineup for the tournament. Church said it's always a good experience when you play Canada's archrival twice in one week.

“Evenly matched, and sometimes you come out on the wrong side,” Church said. “There are definitely things we need to improve. If we can do that moving forward, we can look at this as a success in the long run.”

The Canadians defeated the Americans 3-1 in the preliminary round.

“Ultimately, our goal is to win a world championship and to take that back from the U.S.,” Church said. “We want to point ourselves in that direction.”

The 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship will be played April 7-14 in Burlington, Vt.

The Canadians have won 12 gold and four silver medals in 4 Nations Cup and 3 Nations Cup tournaments since the first in 1996.

It was the Americans' first gold medal since a 3-2 shootout win over Canada in 2008 at Lake Placid, N.Y. Canada won the tournament last year in St. John’s, N.L.

Penalties:
   02:43 CAN 22 Hayley Wickenheiser (Abuse of Official)
   10:08 CAN 3 Jocelyne Larocque (Bodychecking)
   10:23 USA 18 Kelli Stack (Roughing)
   12:53 CAN 21 Haley Irwin (Boarding)
   15:43 USA 7 Monique Lamoureux-Kolls (Tripping)
   17:21 CAN 21 Haley Irwin (Tripping)

Penalties:
   05:15 USA 26 Kendall Coyne (Hooking)
   16:02 USA 10 Meghan Duggan (Bodychecking)

Penalties:
   01:30 CAN 14 Bobbi Jo Slusar (Tripping)
   11:44 CAN 21 Haley Irwin (Abuse of Official)
   11:44 CAN 21 Haley Irwin (Hooking)
   19:09 CAN 14 Bobbi Jo Slusar (Roughing)
   19:09 USA 17 Jocelyne Lamoureux (Slashing)

Goals:
   None

Penalties:
   00:31 CAN 22 Hayley Wickenheiser (Cross Checking)