ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE, Czechia – Team USA defeated Team Canada 2-1 in their preliminary round matchup at the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship on Sunday night.
It was a unique edition of the Canada-USA rivalry, with less drama than usual and not a ton of offense.
Team USA got the lead midway through the first period thanks to a Lee Stecklein point shot and never relinquished it. Megan Keller doubled the lead in the second period with what would ultimately be the game-winner.
Open ice, a nifty move and a rip from the slot.💪
Textbook from Megan Keller to put Team USA up 2-0! #WomensWorlds pic.twitter.com/T1wy2995nD
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) April 13, 2025
Canada did make a late-game push to try to force overtime, but other than a Laura Stacey chance in the dying moments, it never truly felt like Canada was going to get there. The dramatic comebacks and the constant overtime is usually what makes these rivalry games so exciting.
Not to mention, the Canada-USA preliminary round matchup is the big finale heading into the playoff rounds of the tournament. This year, however, Canada and the U.S. have one more game to play before heading to the quarterfinals. Maybe that’s why Sunday’s tilt didn’t quite seem to have as much juice.
Still, with the win, Team USA has clinched…
