International Ice Hockey Federation

Relentless Canada pours it on

Relentless Canada pours it on

11-0 win over Czechs sets up U.S. showdown

Published 10.01.2016 10:18 GMT-5 | Author Andrew Podnieks
Relentless Canada pours it on
ST. CATHARINES, CANADA - JANUARY 9: Canada's Sheridan Oswald #12, Ashton Bell #26, Jalyn Elmes #28, Saroya Tinker #7 and Malia Schneider #18 skate to the bench after a first period goal against the Czech Republic during preliminary round action at the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women's World Championship. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/HHOF-IIHF Images)
Canada scored seven goals in the second period en route to a convincing win over the Czech Republic to qualify for the semi-finals.

Edith D'Astous-Moreau made just 13 saves for the shutout. The offense was led by captain Lindsay Agnew, Amy Potomak, and Kristin O'Neill, all of whom had two goals and an assist. Emma Maltais and Ashton Bell had three assists.

"We maybe had a bit of nerves at the beginning but overall this was a great game for us," Potomak enthused. "We generated lots of offense and we dangerous all game."

Teammate Annie Berg agreed: "Overall, I think we had a great game. We had tempo, and everyone contributed. But now this is over, we’re getting ready for our next game."

Ah, yes, the next game! Canada will now face their arch-rivals U.S. on Monday night for first place in Group A, although both teams have advanced to the final four already. The Czechs, now 0-2, will face Russia to determine ranking for the quarter-finals.

The game was played before 3,389 fans, third highest figure ever for a women's U18 match, behind only two of the games yesterday at the Meridian Arena.

Indeed, Canada came out a bit flat and had difficulty penetrating the Czech zone for a good portion of the opening period. The hosts also took two early penalties, but after killing those off they started to gain some momentum.

It wasn’t until 18:07, however, that the team got on the scoreboard. Lindsay Agnew scored with a bouncing shot from close range with only one second left on a Canada power play.

Then, with only 25.5 seconds remaining, Canada made it 2-0. Sheridan Oswald pushed a loose puck in off the rush with goalie Denisa Jandova down on her stomach, unable to freeze the puck.

And if those goals weren’t enough to dispirit the Czechs, Amy Potomak’s high shot over the glove of Jandova with only 3.1 seconds left surely did the trick. A period that was close for 18 minutes turned into a Canadian rout in the blink of an eye.

Canada came out guns a’ blazin’ to start the second, adding two more goals in the first 61 seconds. Kristin O’Neill and a second from Potomak did the trick, all but taking the discouraged Czechs out of the game.

After one more goal, from Daryl Watts, Jandova started skating to her bench even before coach Jan Fidrmuc made the change. When Katerina Zechovska entered the game, though, little changed.

Canada added four more to take a 10-0 lead to the dressing room after 40 minutes. A clearly inconsolable Zechovska headed off with teammates having to play 20 more minutes.

Malia Schneider made it 11-0 midway through the third with a high shot over Zechovska's glove.

 

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