BUDAPEST, Hungary – Lauren Wildfang scored twice as Canada wrapped up a perfect preliminary round at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship with a 5-0 win over the Czech Republic on Wednesday.
Wildfang’s goals were the first of the Canadian captain’s international career.
“She’s a big voice in our locker-room, and it’s for sure exciting when a defenceman like that steps up and puts it away for us,” said forward Hannah Miller, who had an assist on Wildfang’s first goal.
The Canadians picked up their game after a scoreless first period. Miller credited the shift in momentum on a first-intermission speech from head coach Laura Schuler.
“The Czechs came out pretty hard against us, and I just asked them if they felt like they were playing their best game and if they were wearing the jersey with pride,” Schuler said. “They knew that they had more to give.
“They still had a good period. We still outhsot them and outchanced them. But I was happy to see that they knew they had more in the tank.”
Victoria Bach, Stephanie Lalancette and Sarah Potomak also scored for Canada. Alexandra Labelle and Rebecca Leslie each added two assists.
Goaltender Kassidy Sauve made 23 saves for her first international shutout.
Bach opened the scoring midway through the second period. Wildfang scored her first international goal a short time later to put Canada up 2-0.
The Canadians put the game away with two quick goals in the third. Lalancette made it a three-goal deficit before Potomak added another goal on the power play.
Wildfang capped the scoring as Canada finished first in Pool A at 3-0.
Schuler said the team has grown with every game at the tournament.
“For us, to be able to overcome some adversity each time is really positive, because obviously it’s a true indication of our growth as a team,” she said.
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