Getting its quest for a third-consecutive gold medal underway in Brampton, Canada’s National Women’s Team takes on Switzerland in its preliminary-round opener Wednesday at the 2023 IIHF Women’s World Championship.
Last Game
Canada tuned up for Women’s Worlds with a 3-1 pre-tournament win over Finland on Saturday night in Niagara Falls, Ont. Brianne Jenner broke a scoreless tie midway through the second period and added an assist on Marie-Philip Poulin’s insurance marker in the third. Emily Clark also scored for the Canadians, who got 19 saves from Ann-Renée Desbiens and Emerance Maschmeyer.
The Swiss closed out their exhibition schedule with a 1-0 loss to Sweden on Sunday night in Aurora, Ont. Andrea Brandli and Saskia Maurer shared goaltending duties for Switzerland, which finished with a win and a loss in pre-tournament play after blanking Germany 2-0 on Friday.
Last Meeting
These teams last faced off seven months ago in the semifinals of the 2022 IIHF Women’s World Championship, an 8-1 victory for Canada. Leading the way for the Canadians were Marie-Philip Poulin and Sarah Fillier, who recorded three points each — Poulin had two goals and an assist, while Fillier had a goal and two helpers. Four other Canadians – Kristin O’Neill, Jessie Eldridge, Sarah Nurse and Brianne Jenner – found the back of the net for Canada, which outshot the Swiss 56-6.
What to Watch
Just 120 days after giving birth to son Rory, Natalie Spooner is back for Canada’s National Women’s Team. The veteran made her first appearance since the Olympic gold medal game in Beijing in the pre-tournament, slotting in alongside Sarah Fillier and Sarah Nurse on the second line. The Scarborough, Ont., native has been one of Canada’s most consistent Women’s Worlds performers in her career, recording 46 points (25-21—46) in 44 games.
For the Swiss, it begins and ends with Alina Müller. The 25-year-old dominated women’s college hockey with Northeastern University this season, posting 27 goals and 60 points in 38 games to finish fourth in NCAA scoring (Canadian forward Danielle Serdachny led the way with 71 points) and finish as a top-three finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award. Müller just needs to stay healthy – she has played only five games total across the last two Women’s Worlds.
Chasing History
Poulin potted international goal No. 99 in the win over the Finns, leaving her just one shy of becoming only the fourth player to reach the century mark with Team Canada – joining Hayley Wickenheiser (168), Jayna Hefford (157) and Danielle Goyette (114).
A Look Back
Canada has dominated the head-to-head history, winning all 17 games played, including all 10 at the Women’s Worlds, and holding a sizeable advantage in goal differential.
The best offensive performance belongs to Poulin, who recorded a four-goal game against the Swiss at the 2013 Women’s Worlds. There have been four five-point efforts, including two – by Natalie Spooner and Claire Thompson – in the preliminary-round meeting between the teams in Beijing.
All-time record: Canada leads 17-0
Canada goals: 143
Switzerland goals: 8