ÖSTERSUND, Sweden – The 2023 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team is set to face off against host country Sweden at the IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship on Saturday.
Puck drop is set for 10 a.m. ET and can be viewed live on NHL Network.
TODAY'S MATCHUP
Today's meeting marks the semifinal-round game for Team USA at the IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship and the second match-up of the tournament against Sweden. The U.S. finished preliminary-round play with a record of 2-0-0-1, earning a quarterfinal bye to the semifinal round.
LAST TIME OUT
Despite a 32-save performance from goaltender Annelies Bergmann, the U.S. fell in its final preliminary-round game, 3-1, to Canada. It marked the first preliminary loss since 2020 and just the third all-time loss for Team USA. Joy Dunne tallied the U.S.' lone goal in the second off a face-off win. Even with the loss, Team USA still earned a bye into the semifinals.
LAST TIME AGAINST SWEDEN
The U.S. last met Sweden on Jan. 8, in the first game of the preliminary-round play at this year's championship. Team USA won the game, by a tally of 6-3. Maggie Scannell recorded two points (1G, 1A) as a three-goal third pushed the U.S. on top.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Through three games, Team USA's special teams have been some of the best throughout the tournament. The U.S.' power play ranks first in the championship, converting at a 43 percent clip (6-14), while its penalty kill is holding opponents off the scoreboard 93 percent (1-14) of the time. The lone power play goal was yielded against Sweden.
A VETERAN PRESENCE
The seven returning players from the 2022 team, Annelies Bergmann, Cassie Hall, Molly Jordan, Ava Lindsay, Finley McCarthy, Maggie Scannell and Josie St. Martin, have been responsible for 53 percent of all goal scoring and 66 percent of minutes played in net.
SCORING EFFICIENTLY
The U.S. is scoring on nearly 16 percent of its shots, the highest percentage of the tournament. Of the 94 shots on goal Team USA has registered, 15 have found its way to the back of the net.