Great Britain faced off in the second semi-final of the day at the WPIH Women’s Championships following Canada’s victory over Norway in the opneing semi-final.
Catherine Faherty needed only 16 seconds to put the USA ahead against Great Britain. Kaden Herchenroether, Madeleine Gallagher, Ailin Zheng and two goals from Kelsey DiClaudio gave their team a 6-0 lead in the first period.
USA scored two more goals in each of the following periods with Robynne Hill and and Lera Doederlein in the second, and Monica Quimby and Gallagher in the third.
USA Head Coach Rose Misiewicz said there is no special secret to her unbeaten team’s success.
“We like to come here and have fun. The girls like to rock it, to play their music, it’s like a family out here. We have to keep that spirit and atmosphere. That is the secret sauce”
Three-time winner of the Women’s World Challenge, USA comes to the final as favourites. But that is just until the puck drops.
“USA-Canada is a big rivalry, we know it’s going to be a challenging game and we got out come out and be ready to that next level of hockey,” Misiewicz added.
GB’s Dani Czernuszka-Watts expressed confidence on their chances of taking a medal against Norway on Sunday.
“I think it’s just going to be a great clash of countries. Norway will give us a lot of pressure, but I think we can equalise it. We’ve got amazing players too, we can give the pressure in the puck and I think if we play with our hearts we have a great chance of winning bronze. We have to believe in our hearts that we can do it”
Norway will play just their fourth international game on Sunday after making their debut at the tournament. Captain Lena Schroeder spoke about what a podium finish would mean:
“Bringing home a medal helps the sport in general, helps to show that this team has a future, maybe we will have more players joining us, maybe more money, more support, which will make it easier to build the team. It’ll be a really important match for us.”