BRAMPTON, Ont. – The U.S. Women’s National Team opens the 2023 IIHF Women’s World Championship today with a preliminary-round meeting against Japan at the CAA Centre in Brampton, Ontario.

Puck drop is set for 3 p.m. ET and can be viewed live on NHL Network. 

TODAY'S MATCHUP

Today's match up against Japan marks the first preliminary-round game for Team USA at the 2023 IIHF Women's World Championship. It marks the second consecutive tournament the U.S. has opened WWC play against Japan. The U.S. enters the tournament as defending silver medalists. 

AGAINST JAPAN...

Team USA boasts a perfect 4-0 record against Japan at the WWC. Most recently, the U.S. topped Japan 10-0 in the opening game at the 2022 Women's World Championship. The U.S. has outscored Japan 32-2 in all time meetings at Women's Worlds.

                        Aug. 25, 2022  Preliminary     W, 10-0

                        Aug. 28, 2021  Quarterfinals   W, 10-2

                        April 11, 2019 Quarterfinals   W, 4-0

                        April 4, 2009   Preliminary     W, 8-0

LAST TIME AGAINST JAPAN
 

The U.S. last met Team Japan during the opening game of the 2022 IIHF Women's World Championship. Nine different players tallied goals, while 15 players had at least a point in the U.S.' 10-0 shutout victory. Forward Taylor Heise recorded five assists in her U.S. Women's National Team debut, while Alex Carpenter (2G, 1A), Amanda Kessel (1G, 2A) and Kendall Coyne Schofield (3A) all recorded a three-point game.
 

NEW FACES 
 

Becca Gilmore, Gabbie Hughes, Tessa Janecke, Nicole LaMantia, Abbey Levy, and Haley Winn were named to the U.S. Women's National Team for the first time in international competition and will be making their debut in Brampton. Gilmore, Janecke and Winn all played for Team USA in the 2022-23 Rivalry Series.