The Canadian and American national women’s hockey teams faced off in Halifax Thursday night for Game 4 of the Rivalry Series.
The Americans were first to get on the scoreboard when captain Hilary Knight found the back of the net at 11:47 in the first period.
Despite two power play opportunities and outshooting the Americans 22 to 9, the Canadians could not come up with a goal in the first two periods of play.
Then, with just over two minutes left in the third, Blayre Turnbull from Stellarton, N.S., fired a shot past goaltender Gwyneth Philips, tying the game and electrifying the crowd.
“It was exciting to score and then, to hear the crowd’s reaction, it was pretty special,” said Turnbull.
“It was amazing, she deserves all the love that she gets. Being able to be on the ice when she scored the tying goal was great,” said Turnbull’s teammate Marie-Philip Poulin.
After a scoreless five-minute overtime period, the game headed into a shootout. Hannah Bilka and Kelly Pannek both scored goals for Team USA, while none of the Canadian shooters were able to find the back of the net, giving the Americans a 2-1 victory.
“We’re fortunate to be able to play a fast, skilled game on this stage and whenever you can play in front of lots of fans it’s a lot of fun,” said Knight.
Despite her team’s loss, Turnbull said the game will always stand out in her memory.
“I had 75 people here tonight watching. I don’t foresee that happening again in my hockey career. I think, when it’s time for me to hang up the skates and I reflect back on my career, I think this will be up there as one of my favourite games I’ve been a part of,” she said.
Game 5
The series is now tied at two heading into Game 5 in Summerside, P.E.I., Saturday night.
“We’re excited, it’s a great facility and another great hockey city or hockey town. We’re excited to hopefully wrap up the Rivalry Series there,” said head coach Troy Ryan, from Spryfield, N.S.
Knight says Summerside fans can expect a fast-paced game Saturday night.
“We’re really excited to get going and probably a majority of us have never been to P.E.I., so that’s exciting for us. We’re looking forward to some good hockey,” she said.
Evolution of women’s hockey
Laura Stacey marked 100 games with Team Canada Thursday night, along with her teammate Sarah Nurse. Stacey said it’s been incredible to witness the evolution of women’s hockey up close.
“A full building tonight cheering us on, they were electric, and that’s now the norm. I think it’s extremely special to see that, even standing right here, I’m surrounded by female reporters, that’s new, that’s amazing. I think it’s not just us on the ice, I think it’s the coaching, the reporting, opening up so many more doors for girls and women in general,” said Stacey.
“We’re just lucky to be honest. We’re the lucky ones for getting the opportunity to play in front of these crowds, to get to play in the PWHL, because so many more women before us didn’t quite have it like we do today. They just worked for it and they pushed for it and they advocated for it and here we are today.”
Team Canada’s assistant coach Kori Cheverie agrees with Stacey, saying we’re living in a special time when it comes to women’s hockey.
“I’m really fortunate to coach the athletes that I coach. You know, some of the players will go down in history as the best of all time, so to be a part of that and be able to maybe have an impact on their hockey career and their lives is really cool,” said Cheverie.
“I think tonight is bigger than just one hockey game. It’s really a moment for our sport and for young kids in the Maritimes to experience such an amazing event that hasn’t been here (in Halifax) in a very long time. So it’s a lot bigger than just the shootout loss tonight.”
Special presentation
Ryan, who’s been behind the bench for Canada when the team won gold medals at the IIHF Women’s World Championships and the Olympic Winter Games, was honoured in a special presentation prior to the game.
“I just consider myself lucky that I get to coach Team Canada. If you get hired to coach Canada’s national women’s team there’s probably a lot of wins in your future, so I guess the pride is that I managed to hang on to the position for long enough to be able to get an honour like that,” said Ryan.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to get to coach such powerful women.”
Warm reception
Professional sports fans across Canada have booed the American national anthem at several events this week in response to a potential trade war between the countries. However, on Thursday night in Halifax, a city known for its hospitality, fans showed friendly competition can transcend political differences between nations.
When the Star-Spangled Banner played at the Scotiabank Centre, ahead of game four of the Rivalry Series, the crowd listened respectfully and applauded at the end. Then, 11-year-old Emery Nelson stepped out on the ice to sing O Canada in front of a sea of red and white jerseys, receiving enthusiastic cheers from the full house.
Team USA head coach John Wroblewski, who wore a Nova Scotia tartan tie he was gifted, said he was a little worried about how the crowd would receive the team.
“Once the anthem was over, I didn’t think about it. I loved the arena and the crowd. That was probably the loudest crowd and most in to it game in Rivalry (Series) or even World Championships, and that’s saying a lot,” he said.
“I thank Hockey Canada, Nova Scotia, and the city of Halifax for the reception for these athletes tonight.”
Ryan said he was proud of the way the crowd reacted to the anthem.
“It’s definitely what I expected from the people of Halifax. We actually acknowledged it on the bench,” said Ryan.
When asked if she expected the crowd to boo, Turnbull said she believed Maritime hospitality would trump political divides.
“I feel everyone understands that these girls on Team USA have nothing to do with politics and what’s going on in the States, so I think they were respectful of that and they were here to support,” said Turnbull.
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