Canada Hangs on Against U.S. in Nations Cup Tournament

The Canadian Women’s National hockey team is making a habit of disappointing the U.S Women’s National team as Canada notched another come-from-behind heartbreaker to defeat the U.S. 3-2 at the Nations Cup women’s hockey tournament.

The stage wasn’t quite as grand as it was in February during the 2014 Sochi Olympics in Russia, but the outcome was much the same. Canada was outmatched for much of the contest Wednesday and had issues getting shots on goal in the third period. It wasn’t until late in the third that Canada gained steam.

Despite outplaying Canada for much of the game, the Americans led just 2-1 with five minutes left in the third period, but goals by Haley Irwin and Rebecca Johnston just 1:17 apart to seal the come-from-behind victory for Canada.

Hockey Betting at Sports Interaction

“I felt like we got off to a slow start,” Canadian head coach Doug Derraugh said. “It looked like nerves were playing a factor early on, but then as the game got going I thought we played better and better.Both teams battled hard, both teams had chances. Close game, lots of excitement was pretty much what I expected.”

Irwin is credited with the game tying goal that came off a spinning backhand shot that went off the post and into the net. Johnson was then credited with the game winning goal that sailed past U.S. goalie Alex Rigby.

“We seem to always be behind in the third period, but we have a confidence, we’re eager.” Said Johnston. “We just won’t top until the very last second.”

Both the U.S. and the Canadians brought drastically different rosters to the Nations Cup from those that played in Sochi. On the Canadian side, Hayley Wickenheiser, Jayna Heffoord and Gillian Apps were a handful of several veterans who did not join the team. The U.S. was without 11 members of their Olympian roster.