Canada beats Sweden’s gold medal U18 Women’s WC
ÖSTERSUND, Sweden — Canada saved its most dominant effort for last.
Caitlin Kraemer led the way with four goals as Canada routed Sweden 10-0 to claim its second straight gold medal at the World Women’s Under-18 Hockey Championship.
Kraemer, 16, of Waterloo, Ont., scored a hat trick in 6:44 of the first period, the fastest in tournament history.
Her fourth goal in the third period was her tournament-leading 10th, which also set the record for most goals by a Canadian in a single tournament.
That record was previously held by current Canadian women’s hockey team captain Marie-Philip Poulin.
“This team has been such a big part of my accomplishments, I couldn’t have done it without them,” said Kraemer, who was named to the tournament’s all-star team.
“We wanted to leave the world knowing who we are. I’m at a loss for words. You dream about this as a little kid, and to win is amazing.”
Alexia Aubin, with two goals, Abby Lunney, Piper Grober, Mackenzie Alexander and Charlotte Pieckenhagen also scored for Canada, which went undefeated throughout the tournament and claimed back-to-back gold for the first time since winning three straight from 2012 to 2014.
Goalkeeper Hannah Clark’s 21-save finish was the first of her international career.
“We knew what our end goal was,” Clark said. “We knew we had a job to do and would work as hard as possible to get it done.
“Our team has so much heart. I love every single one of these girls and I know we love each other. You dream about (winning gold) since you’re little. It’s so special.”
Swedish goalkeeper Felicia Frank gave up five goals in 12 minutes before making way for Ida Henriksson.
Henriksson stopped 26 of 31 shots in relief for Sweden.
The USA defeated Finland 5-0 to take bronze earlier on Sunday.
Sweden’s 2-1 semifinal defeat of the United States on Saturday meant the Americans would not play for gold for the first time in the tournament’s 15-year history.
Alex Law scored the overtime goal for Canada in a 3-2 semifinal victory over Finland.
She was among seven veterans on the 2022 team that won gold in a tournament that was delayed and moved from January in Sweden to June in Madison, Wis., due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Canada got off to a blistering start on Sunday thanks to Kraemer. After being held scoreless in Saturday’s semifinal for the first time in the tournament, she scored two quick goals.
Kraemer opened the scoring 5:16 into the contest before adding his second 25 seconds later.
Aubin joined in on the fun at 9:41 when she redirected an Ava Murphy shot into the net. Murphy had three assists in the game.
Grober made it 4-0 with a wrist shot on the power play at 10:01.
After the 12-minute mark, Kraemer completed the hat trick on a 2-on-1 break, beating Frank’s top corner.
Aubin added his second of the game 3:54 into the middle. After a Sweden turnover, Pieckenhagen sent Aubin on a breakout and she beat Henriksson with a backhand shot.
Less than 90 seconds later, Lunney scored on a rebound to make it a 7-0 game.
Alexander added to the advantage at 8:29 of the second.
Pieckenhagen joined in and scored just 52 seconds into the third.
Kraemer scored on the power play 9:17 into the final frame, when she rebounded Emma Venusio’s one-timer.
“We knew they were going to bring it today, but to see them celebrate the little things, be happy for each other was amazing,” said assistant coach Tara Watchorn, a 2014 Olympic gold medalist.
“This group was special, without a doubt. To see them represent their country with pride, class and so much skill was a lot of fun.”
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on January 15, 2023.