Toronto trio deliver for Canada
N.Y. A PWHL Toronto connection was a key contributor to Canada’s 3-0 win over Switzerland on Friday at the women’s world hockey championship.
Emma Maltais and Sarah Nurse scored in the first period, and Natalie Spooner assisted on both.
“It’s smart to use those connections that we have with our club teams, for sure,” Maltais said.
Sarah Fillier added an empty-netter for Canada, which won its second game less than 24 hours after a 4-1 decision over Finland.
Emerance Maschmeyer, PWHL Ottawa’s No. 1 goalie, posted a 17save shutout in her first start of the tournament.
When Spooner drove out from the corner for a shot early in the first period, Maltais was there to bury the puck 70 seconds after the opening faceoff, her second goal in as many games.
“If I’m taking the net, she’s got to go to the net. And if she’s taking the net, I’ve got to go to the net,” said Spooner, who leads the PWHL in goals (15) and points (20) after 19 games.
Added Nurse: “I think there’s that natural chemistry there. And I think we all play to our strengths. Spooner is the best in the world in front of the net. And then I think Emma has great vision. She’s always the first one in on the puck. I’m a little bit of a middleman. I kind of mediate. I kind of dish pucks. I’m a good second support.”
Switzerland, meanwhile, is still looking for its first goal of the tournament. Ohio State alum Andrea Braendli stopped 43 of 45 shots Friday, after making 51 saves in a 4-0 loss to the United States.
Canada will wrap up Group A play with back-to-back games Sunday afternoon against Czechia and Monday night vs. the defending champion United States.
Canadian head coach Troy Ryan continued to ease captain MariePhilip Poulin into the tournament. Poulin played just over 14 minutes on Friday, about two more than in the opener.
She missed PWHL Montreal’s last three games before the international break with an undisclosed injury.
Ryan said he wasn’t pleased with Canada’s execution against the Finns, but was happier Friday: “We cleaned up some things and I thought, even from the start, you could just see a different group focus.”