UTICA, N.Y. — Team USA defeated Canada 1-0 in overtime in the final preliminary round game for each team at the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship on Monday night.
The latest edition of the heated Canada-USA rivalry delivered again this time in a fast-paced, physical game that, of course, needed extra time to be decided.
Kirsten Simms scored the game-winning goal — her first of the tournament — with 1:22 left in overtime. Simms was the leading scorer in the NCAA this season with 75 points in 39 games and is making her women’s world championship debut.
Aerin Frankel made 26 saves for a shutout.
Ann-Renée Desbiens is something else. Huge save on Hannah Bilka to keep this game 0-0. pic.twitter.com/UrkPPJvyOb
— Hailey Salvian (@hailey_salvian) April 9, 2024
There were 4,017 fans in attendance at the game at the Adirondack Bank Center, a record for a hockey game at the arena.
With the win, Team USA clinched the top spot in Group A with a 4-0 record through the preliminary round. As the No. 1 seed, the Americans will get the more favorable matchups on the path to the gold medal game.
There are two games on the schedule Tuesday that will determine the Group B seeding and which teams make it to the quarterfinals. Team USA will play the No. 8 team — either China, Denmark or…
