The U.S. Women’s National Team will open the 2019 IIHF Women’s World Championship tonight against the host nation, Finland. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. local time/12:30 p.m. ET.
GAMEDAY
Playing in Group A, the U.S. will take on Finland as the preliminary round of the tournament gets underway today at Metro Areena in Espoo. All U.S. games will be televised live on NHL Network for the first time ever this year, so tune in and follow along with @USAHockey for live game updates.
ON TOP OF THE WORLD
In addition to being the reigning Olympic champion, the United States enters the 2019 IIHF Women's World Championship having won gold in the past four Women's World Championships (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017). Team USA is 70-4-6-8-2 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T) in 90 career games and has outscored opponents 593-141.
STARTING OFF ON A HIGH NOTE
In tournament history, the U.S. has only lost in its opening game once in 18 appearances. That was a 3-2 shootout loss against Canada on April 2, 2013, on Canadian soil in Ottawa. Despite the preliminary-round loss, the U.S. would go on to win the gold medal at the 2013 IIHF Women’s Worlds with a 3-2 win over Canada in the gold-medal game.
USA vs. FINLAND
The U.S. last met Finland in the 2018 Four Nations Cup opener on Nov. 6. The U.S. scored five unanswered goals in the second period and 11 players registered points to power the U.S. past Finland, 5-1. The win was the U.S.'s first of four in a row en route to the tournament title.
FAMILIAR FOES
The U.S. has met Finland at the IIHF WWC more times than any other team, except for Canada. In 15 meetings on the world stage since 1990, the U.S. has fallen once, that a 1-0 overtime loss in 2008, and tied Finland once, 3-3, in 1997.
2019 U.S. Schedule
All U.S. games were televised live on NHL Network
Games were held at Metro Areena
| DATE | OPPONENT/ROUND | LOCATION | TIME (LOCAL/ET) | TELEVISION | U.S. Player of the Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu., April 4 | Finland Preliminary |
Espoo, Finland | W, 6-2 | NHL Network | Kendall Coyne Schofield |
| Sat., April 6 | Canada Preliminary |
Espoo, Finland | W, 3-2 | NHL Network | Dani Cameranesi |
| Sun., April 7 | Switzerland Preliminary |
Espoo, Finland | W, 8-0 | NHL Network | Megan Keller |
| Tue., April 9 | Russia Preliminary |
Espoo, Finland | W, 10-0 | NHL Network | Lee Stecklein |
| Thu., April 11 | Japan Quarterfinals |
Espoo, Finland | W, 4-0 | NHL Network | Maddie Rooney |
| Sat., April 13 | Russia Semifinals |
Espoo, Finland | W, 8-0 | NHL Network | Hilary Knight |
| Sun., April 14 | Finland Gold-Medal Game |
Espoo, Finland | W, 2-1 (SO) | NHL Network | Annie Pankowski |
2019 U.S. WWC News
Dani Cameranesi Announces Retirement From U.S. Women’s National Team
- By USA Hockey 07/20/2022, 7:58am EDT
U.S. Women’s National Team Earns Best of April Honors for Team USA Awards
- By USA Hockey 05/07/2019, 12:00pm EDT
Rigsby Plays Big Role in U.S.’s Fifth Straight WWC Title
- By Dan Scifo 05/01/2019, 4:15pm EDT
USWNT’s Gold-Medal Journey Highlighted by Outstanding Accomplishments
- By USA Hockey 04/17/2019, 4:30pm EDT