Kraemer scores twice as Canada doubles host Sweden at U18 women’s hockey worlds
Caitlin Kraemer scored the game-winner and an empty-netter for Canada in a 4-2 win over Sweden at the World Women’s Under-18 Hockey Championship on Monday.
The forward from Waterloo, Ont., scored a power-play goal at 4:58 of the third after the Swedes were penalized for too many players on the ice.
The Canadians then killed three minor penalties, including a five-on-three with just under three minutes to play, before Kraemer put the puck into an empty net.
“It was really important to stick together and keep it simple on the penalty,” defender Ava Murphy said. “We were able to execute it well, which is why we succeeded in the end.”
SEE l Canada’s Kraemer scores, adds empty netter in win over Sweden:
Caitlin Kraemer scored the game-winning goal and added an empty netter as Canada doubled Sweden 4-2 to improve to 2-0 at the IIHF Women’s U18 World Championship in Östersund, Sweden.
Emma Pais and Alex Law also scored for Canada (2-0) with goalkeeper Hannah Clark stopping 43 shots in the win.
Mira Junkager and Hilda Svensson scored and goalkeeper Felicia Frank made 27 saves for Sweden (0-2).
The countries were tied 1-1 after the first period and 2-2 after two.
“I think our team handled the ups and downs well, especially for such a young age,” Canadian head coach Courtney Birchard-Kessel said. “It’s super easy to get down on yourself or too high and throw yourself off your game.
Canada played its second game in as many days after an 8-0 win over Finland to start the tournament on Sunday.
“It was a different game from last night, that’s for sure,” Birchard-Kessel said. “We have a lot more in the tank, a lot more to show.”
Kraemer leads Canada in tournament points with four goals and one assist in two games.
The Canadians compete in the preliminary round in Pool A against the USA (2-0) on Wednesday.
The USA defeated Finland 8-1 on Monday. The Czech Republic beat Japan 5-1 and Slovakia beat Switzerland 4-1 in Pool B.
The quarterfinals are Thursday followed by Saturday’s semifinals and Sunday’s medal game.
Canada beat the United States 3-2 in last year’s final to win gold in Madison, Wis.
SEE l Canada knocks out Finns in tournament opener:
The Red and Black outscored Finland by a staggering 47-9 margin en route to an 8-0 shutout on the opening day of the U18 World Championship in Östersund, Sweden.