CALGARY, Alberta – Brianna Decker (Dousman, Wis.) and Kendall Coyne Schofield (Palos Heights, Ill.) each tallied a goal and an assist to help the U.S. Women’s National Team to a 3-0 win over Switzerland here tonight in the first preliminary round game for both teams at the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship.

“I thought it was a great game and we’re really excited about the result, but also in how we played as a team” said Joel Johnson (White Bear Lake, Minn.), head coach of the 2021 U.S. Women’s National Team. “It just felt really good to get out and play. The Swiss have a great team and played us tough, but it really speaks to how competitive the game has become all over the world. It feels great to have that first win under our belt and now we will turn our focus to Finland.”

Switzerland looked to tally the first goal of the game off a 2-on-1 break, but Alex Cavallini (Delafield, Wis.) stretched out and made the save. Decker added Team USA’s first goal of the tournament :39 later. Coyne Schofield picked up a rebound from Hilary Knight (Sun Valley, Idaho) and sent one on net. Coyne Schofield kept with her rebound and sent it around Switzerland netminder Andrea Braendli to Decker who tapped in the lone goal of the first. The U.S. controlled the first 20 where it outshot Switzerland 23-4.

Highlights

Amanda Kessel (Madison, Wis.) looked to make it 2-0 with a great move in front of the crease but Braendli got a toe on it to keep it a one-goal game. Slightly over two minutes later, Decker won the faceoff, skated past the Switzerland center and gave it off to Coyne Schofield who buried the second goal of the game. With her assist, Decker tied Krissy Wendell (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) and Jenny Potter (Edina, Minn.) for all-time assists recorded by an American at the Women’s World Championship with 38.

As time was winding down in the frame, Grace Zumwinkle (Excelsior, Minn.) netted her first career goal with the U.S. Women’s National Team, which put the U.S. at a three-goal advantage after two periods.

The U.S. held on to its three-goal lead throughout the final frame to secure the win.

Cavallini stopped all 10 shots she faced to pick up the win in net.

The U.S. continues play on Sunday (Aug. 22) against Finland at 9:30 p.m. ET. That game, along with every U.S. tournament game, will be televised live in the United States on NHL Network.

NOTES: Decker was named U.S. Player of the Game … The U.S. outshot Switzerland, 58-10 … Team USA was 0-4 on the power play, while Switzerland was 0-2 … For more information about the tournament, click here.

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