Medal Confirmed

Make no mistake: the Canadian women playing hockey at the 2023 FISU World University Games in Lake Placid are going to have to declare some precious metal at Customs as they re-enter Canada. Canada used its balanced scoring attack to down Slovakia today by a 6-1 score to earn a berth in the gold medal final that takes place tomorrow. Six different goal scorers pushed Canada past a Slovakian team that was determined to give Canada everything it had, but the final score was indicative of a Canadian team that has shown all sorts of depth, skill, and a hunger for success throughout the tournament.

For a little over 20 minutes, there may have been some concern for Canadian fans as Slovakia loaded up the slot area with players and forced Canada to shoot pucks through six Slovakian bodies. Romana Haluskova gave Slovakia the lead at 8:23 off a nice setup from her sister Lucia Haluskova in becoming the first team to score on Canadian netminder Kendra Woodland in the tournament, and the 1-0 score held into the intermission as Canada had shots and chances only to be denied by Adriana Stofankova.

The second period looked and felt different from the outset as Canada upped the pace by playing a more north-south game. That would pay off just 2:10 into the frame when Montreal's Audrey-Anne Veillette raced down the right side and fired a shot under Stofankova's blocker on the far side to make it 1-1. 2:11 later, SMU's Sahe Demale spotted a wide-open Leah Herrfort in front of the net, and the Waterloo Warriors forward buried it behind Stofankova to put Canada up 2-1. Slovakia wasn't going away after Canada's quick strikes, though, as they had seven shots on net following the goals, but Woodland was equal to the task as Canada took the one-goal lead into the second intermission.

Just 11 seconds into the third period, Saskatchewan's Isabella Pozzi threw a backhander at the net that I'm sure Stofankova wants back as it ended up behind her to push the score to 3-1. Three minutes later, Nipissing's Maria Dominico tapped a Marie-Camille Theoret shot that got through Stofankova across the goal line for the 4-1 Canada lead, and it was clear that Slovakia had to open things up if they were going to have any chance in closing the deficit. However, two late power-play goals by Concordia's Emmy Fecteau and Waterloo's Carley Olivier closed the door on any hopes of a comeback as Canada skated to the 6-1 win.

The bronze medal game will see Slovakia meet the Czechs who were defeated 3-0 by Japan in the other semifinal as the neighbouring countries will see which one takes home a medal. That, of course, means that Canada meets Japan in the final tomorrow night, and they already have a 6-0 win over the Japanese team in the preliminary round. Take nothing from that score, though, as Japan had lost to Czechia 3-1 in the preliminary round before defeating the Czechs 3-0 in the semifinal tonight. Japan will likely be well-prepared for the Canadian gameplan, so this should be a good final with the gold medal up for grabs.

If there's one thing that Canada can do to change their fortunes in the gold medal game, it's getting a jump on their opposition. Canada has scored just five first-period goals in this tournament, and we saw them trail in the semifinal for 14 minutes. Granted, Canada's had no problems overcoming those slow starts in any of the games they played, but I suspect head coach Greg Bowles and his coaching staff may want to get out in front and stay out in front throughout the entire gold medal match as early as possible.

I have no pregame knowledge on who will get the start tonight for Canada, but it seems logical that UNB's Kendra Woodland would be between the pipes for Canada once again with Saskatchewan's Camryn Drever ready to go if called upon in this game. Woodland's play in the tournament hasn't given me any reason to move away from her, and the goal surrendered by Canada in today's game against Slovakia was hardly on her. It wouldn't be any major change if Drever or Ottawa's Aurelie Dubuc were in the net, but I suspect Woodland gets the nod due to her work in the AUS this season where she's been outstanding for the Reds.

The 2023 FISU World University Games women's hockey gold medal game goes tonight at 5pm ET on FISU.tv and ESPN+ as Slovakia and Czechia to meet to determine which Slavic country gets to take home hardware. The gold medal game will be played at 8pm ET on FISU.tv and ESPN+ with Canada and Japan meeting to determine which country gets a gold medal and which gets a silver medal. I find it odd that TSN's scheduling hasn't been modified to at least carry the gold medal game as they've been using the ESPN feeds for their broadcasts in Canada, but that's Bell Media for you. My suggestion is to tune in via FISU.tv for free and catch the game this evening!

Canada's guaranteed to bring home a precious metal from Lake Placid in women's hockey. Tomorrow, we find out which one!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!