Shannon Coulter
GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. SWEDEN (JAN. 13)
It’s a battle of two undefeated teams in Group A as Canada’s National Women's Under-18 Team closes out the preliminary round against Sweden with first place on the line Tuesday at the 2026 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship.
Last Game
Canada made it two wins in two games in Membertou, outshooting Hungary 74-11 in a 14-0 victory on Monday evening. Hayley McDonald and Adrianna Milani both recorded hat tricks, with McDonald adding on an assist for a four-point performance. Megan Mossey scored twice and had two helpers, and Rowan Houweling made 11 saves for her first international win and shutout.
Sweden earned its second win of the tournament with a 3-0 blanking of Switzerland on Monday. Inez Nygren scored early in the first period, with captain Ebba Westerlind and Ebba Hesselvall rounding out the scoring. Thea Holmberg made 16 saves for the shutout.
Last Meeting
Canada and Sweden last met in the gold medal game of the 2023 U18 Women’s Worlds, with the Canadians riding a five-goal first period a 10-0 win over the hosts to earn their seventh world title. Caitlin Kraemer led the way with four goals (giving her a Canadian record of 10 in the tournament), Alexia Aubin scored twice and Ava Murphy recorded three helpers. Hannah Clark made 21 saves for the shutout.
What to Watch
How about Milani and McDonald? The duo lead Canada with four goals apiece in Cape Breton, putting them in a four-way tie for second in the tournament goal-scoring race, two behind U.S. forward Jane Daley. Milani is no stranger to scoring goals, and lots of them. The Oakville product has 12 in 17 games with the Etobicoke Dolphins this season in the OWHA U22 Elite league, after scoring 35 in 36 games a year ago. McDonald, the Canadian captain, has already equalled her goal-scoring output from the 2025 U18 Women’s Worlds, and her five points put her just two back of her total from Finland.
Hesselvall is the lone Swede with multiple goals, scoring twice and adding an assist through two games, one point off her total from last year’s tournament. Westerlind is wearing the ‘C’ in Cape Breton after finishing as Sweden’s co-leader in scoring last year with a goal and six points. The Swedes also have three 15-year-olds making their debuts: defender Elsa Blarand and forwards Tilia Lindgren and Moa Stridh.
A Look Back
Canada owns a perfect record against Sweden at U18 Women’s Worlds, with 12 wins in as many meetings.
The first meeting back in 2008 was the only time Canada has played Sweden on home ice; the Canadians had a 7-1 semifinal win over Sweden in Calgary. Marie-Philip Poulin opened the scoring on the power play, Catherine White scored twice and Camille Dumais had a goal and two assists.
All-time record: Canada leads 12-0 Canada goals: 69 Sweden goals: 11