The U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team aims to win its eighth gold medal at the International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 Women’s World Championship when it faces Canada tonight at the Ice Rink Vlado Dzurilla in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Puck drop is slated for 8:30 p.m. local time/2:30 p.m. ET. The matchup will be streamed live on IIHF.com.
GAMEDAY - The U.S. is 7-4-4-2 (W-OTW-OTL-L) record against Canada all-time in IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship play. The U.S. and Canada last squared off Sunday in the third contest of the tournament, falling to the Canadians 2-1. Lacey Eden (Annapolis, Md.) scored for the United States and Skylar Vetter (Lakeville, Minn.) made 36 saves in the loss.
CLASH OF THE CHAMPIONS - Team USA and Canada have faced off for gold in 11 of the 12 previous U18WWCs, with the U.S. holding a 6-5 advantage in those contests. Five of those 10 contests have gone into overtime (2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2008), with the U.S. winning two.
STREAKING OUT - Lacey Eden (Annapolis, Md.) has recorded a point in every game of this year's tournament, including the lone goal in Team USA's 2-1 loss to Canada. The forward also tallied an assist on Ella Huber's (Northfield, Ill.) game-winning goal against Russia, the game-winning assist in the United States' 4-1 win over Finland and the second goal in Team USA's 3-0 win over Russia in yesterday's semifinal. Eden's four points (2G-2A) currently lead the U.S. in scoring.
SUPERIOR GOALTENDING - Team USA's goaltending has been dominant throughout the tournament. Netminders Amanda Thiele (Milford, Mich.) and Skylar Vetter (Lakeville, Minn.), entering today's semifinal with the top save percentage and lowest goals against clip. Vetter ranks among the top goaltenders in the tournament with a .937 save percentage and 1.52 goals against average. Thiele has recorded shutouts in each of her tournament starts, both against Russia.
Date | Opponent | Time (Local/ET)/Result | Venue/Location | Stream/U.S. Player of the Game | Game Stats |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thurs., Dec. 26 | Finland Preliminary |
W, 4-1 | Ice Rink Vlado Dzurilla Bratislava, Slovakia |
Kiara Zanon | Stats |
Fri., Dec. 27 | Russia Preliminary |
W, 1-0 | Ice Rink Vlado Dzurilla Bratislava, Slovakia |
Ella Huber | Stats |
Sun., Dec. 29 | Canada Preliminary |
L, 1-2 | Ice Rink Vlado Dzurilla Bratislava, Slovakia |
Makenna Webster | Stats |
Wed., Jan. 1 | Russia Semifinals |
W, 3-0 | Ice Rink Vlado Dzurilla Bratislava, Slovakia |
Lacey Eden | Stats |
Thu., Jan. 2 | Canada Gold-Medal Game |
W, 2-1 (OT) | Ice Rink Vlado Dzurilla Bratislava, Slovakia |
Skylar Vetter | Stats |