On Sunday night in Toronto, Team Canada showed why it is the world’s biggest hockey nation, beating an international team in the final.
Jade Downie Landry of the Montreal Force scored the game-winner and sealed the victory for Canada over Team World on a night with plenty of surprises.
Canada opens with a win against its arch-rival USA
The night began with Canada taking on its biggest rival in the world of sports, the US, in the first game of the round-robin. The beginning of the game was tight as both teams got good chances to open the scoring, but it was becoming a battle of the goaltenders between Corrine Schroeder and Abbie Ives.
With five minutes left in the game, Canada scored the first goal of the event when Katie Tabin took a shot from the point, and it was deflected by Boston Pride forward Loren Gabel to give them the late lead. The Americans responded three minutes later when Shiann Darkangelo sniped one past Schroder.
The period ended in a 1-1 draw, and the game was decided was a shootout where Brittany Howard scored while Schroder denied Olivia Zafuto to secure the first win for Canada.
Team World shocks Canada
Canada set up a second group-stage game against Team World with the win. Less than five minutes into the game, Gabel scored another goal with the setup from Howard, but with two minutes left in the game, Leah Lum got a solid pass from Emma Nuutinen, went on a breakaway, and deked out Schroder to tie the game at one.
One minute later, Team World shocked everyone. Tereza Vanisova stole the puck from Soroya Tinker, went in, and scored to give them the 2-1 win and booked them a spot in the championship game.
Team World hangs on to beat the US
The third and final group stage game was between the USA and Team World, with the US looking to book their spot in the final. Fanni Gasparics opened the scoring early, less than two minutes into the game, stealing the puck from Natalie Snodgrass and beating Ives.
Less than three minutes later, Gasparics scored her second goal, this time with a solid pass from Lum, who could tip the puck into the back of the net. One minute later, the Americans responded as Taylor Girard, with a quick pass from Jillian Dempsey, beat Evelina Makinen to make it 2-1.
Team World responded again a minute later as Gasparics completed her hat trick again with a superb pass from Lum to double their lead with less than 10 minutes to go into the game. With two minutes left, Sydney Brodt made it a one-goal game.
Team World hung on to send the USA packing and set up a rematch with Canada, who was looking for revenge.
Canada gets revenge win over Team World to secure All-Star Victory
Team World opened the scoring seven minutes into the game as Gasparics was at it again, scoring her fourth goal of the night as she was able to find a loose rebound off a shot from Taylor Baker and put it into the back of the net.
Three minutes later, Howard tied the game at one, getting another pass from Gabel and beating Makinen top shelf with her backhand. Twenty-nine seconds later, Anna Kilponen responded for Team World beating Schroder five-hole to regain the 2-1 lead.
Less than two minutes later, Gabel scored again with another assist from Howard to knot the game at two. Three minutes later, Jade Downie Landry of the Montreal Force scored the game-winner to seal the win for Canada, beating Makinen with a quick shot.
