U.S. Women’s National Team starts Worlds with wins over Russia, Hungary

By Michael Caples –

Team USA has kicked off their 2014 International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 Women’s World Championship tournament play, and they’re off to a strong start.

The U.S. Women’s National Under-18 Team, featuring three Michigan natives, beat Russia 6-1 on Sunday, and Hungary 7-0 earlier today.

Abby Roque (Sault Ste. Marie), Megan Keller (Farmington) and Tori Sullivan (West Bloomfield) are representing Michigan on the national roster, and they’re all finding the scoresheet already.

In the first game, Keller recorded an assist and a +3 rating, while Roque also picked up an assist, four shots, and a +3 rating. Sullivan was held pointless, but she still had three shots on goal.

In today’s game with Hungary, Roque had one goal, three shots and a +2 final rating. Keller chipped in a goal, five shots and a +3 rating, and Sullivan also scored one goal, registered four shots, and finished +1.

Team USA will conclude their preliminary-round schedule with a game against Sweden on Wednesday; puck drop is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET.