Team USA shuts out Canada on Opening Night of Women’s Worlds

By @MichaelCaples –

The fans showed up.

The women didn’t disappoint.

In the headliner of Opening Night for the 2017 IIHF Women’s World Championship, Team USA battled rival Canada, and the 3,152 fans in Plymouth were treated to a 2-0 win by the home team.

Brianna Decker broke a scoreless tie late in the second period, and the U.S. shut out their rivals to start their Women’s Worlds title defense with a win.

Gigi Marvin also scored for the Americans, while Nicole Hensley was perfect between the pipes, stopping all 18 shots she faced.

Team USA out-shot their opponent 30 to 18 in the contest. They were especially dominant in the middle frame, posting a 9-3 shot advantage before Decker found the back of the net.

Megan Bozek deserves much of the credit for the game’s first goal; the Team USA defenseman carried the puck through the Team Canada zone, around the goal, and then sent a pass through the crease to Decker’s waiting stick.

Marvin increased the U.S. lead 4:49 into the third period, sending a shot past Canadian goaltender Shannon Szabados from the top of the circle.

From there, it was Hensley backstopping the American squad to the shutout victory.

Team USA continues preliminary-round play tomorrow afternoon at USA Hockey Arena when they take on Russia at 3:30 p.m. The Women’s National Team will be holding an autograph signing for fans in attendance 45 minutes after the game.