Canada falls to U.S. in opening game of inaugural Para Ice Hockey Women's World Challenge
Canadians will play twice on Saturday against Great Britain, Team World
The United States scored three goals in the second period and Gabby Graves-Wake and Hope Bevilhymer combined for the shutout as they defeated rival Canada 5-0 in Friday's opening game of the inaugural four-team Para Ice Hockey Women's World Challenge in Green Bay, Wis.
Kelsey DiClaudio scored twice for the Americans, while Catherin Faherty, Madison Eberhard and Katie Ladlie each added a goal. The U.S. held period leads of 1-0 and 4-0 and outshot Canada 31-4 in front of a near-capacity crowd at the Cornerstone Community Center.
Tracey Arnold, who has been on Canada's national team since 2019, played all 45 minutes while recording 26 saves.
Kelsey Diclaudio met some of her biggest fans on the first day of competition in Green Bay. ❤️<br><br>After getting to know them, Kelsey gifted the little ones with signed pucks and a memory of a lifetime. 🎁<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WomensWorldChallenge?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WomensWorldChallenge</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ParaIceHockey?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ParaIceHockey</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Citi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Citi</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ParaSport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ParaSport</a> <a href="https://t.co/MPUe32pdWE">pic.twitter.com/MPUe32pdWE</a>
—@paraicehockeyIn other action, Team World beat Great Britain 5-1. Team World is comprised of athletes from different nations.
Canada will play twice on Saturday as round-robin play continues. They'll face Team World at 10 a.m. ET before taking on Great Britain at 1:30 p.m ET.
The Americans will face Team World at 5 p.m. ET and then play Great Britain at 8:30 p.m. ET.
The medal games take place Sunday.
The event serves as an important stepping stone toward establishing a women's Para ice hockey world championship, with the ultimate goals of increasing female participation in Para hockey and having the sport included in the Paralympics.
Canadian officials Jane Ogilvie and Danielle Williams are part of the officiating staff for the event.
With files from CBC Sports
