By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – In the third game of this years “Rivalry Series,” a multi-game contest between the USA and Canada women’s hockey teams, it was the American’s who effectively glided to a 4-2 victory. Superstar forward Hilary Knight was the highlight of the night, tallying three points as a record 14,551 packed Climate Pledge Arena to watch the two best teams in the world duke it out. That attendance is the highest ever for a home game in U.S. Women’s national hockey team history. Not only does this showing display that Seattle is a hockey town, but it also encourages the hope that the 206 will get a professional women’s hockey team of their own at some point.
Team USA celebrates a goal as players of Team Canada look dejected (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Hilary Knight: breaking records, inspiring kids, and dropping jaws
One of the very best players to put on skates on Earth, Hilary Knight was honored pregame and joined by her parents. Knight was given a golden stick to commemorate becoming the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) Women's World Championship all-time points leader, a feat she achieved over the past year. Knight then proceeded to show everyone inside of Climate Pledge Arena just how great she is, finding the back of the net twice and adding an assist to finish the game with three total points. Her fingerprints were all over the game, as her assist came on the opening goal of the night, scoring the go-ahead and game sealing goals. Knight discussed the atmosphere and the game with the media.
“We were extremely excited to come to Seattle. Obviously, it’s a huge sports city, great to full that support. We rarely get to play out West it feels like, so to be able to bring a rivalry series to a massive crowd? It was just a phenomenal show and turnout for us. We’re really fortunate to be able to have opportunities like this and I hope that more come. The kraken are a blossoming organization, for them to have a hand in this, it just shows how the culture will grow around here… I think this is only scratching the surface of what crowds we can get.”
Hilary Knight’s first goal of the night, frame by frame (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Canada fails to fully click, suffers third straight loss in Rivalry Series
One of the top two teams in the World for hockey (both men and women), Canada seemed mostly disjointed through this contest in Seattle. Following one-goal wins in the first two contests of this year's Rivalry Series, USA was able to disrupt the Canadian attack so much that the neighbors to the North had to rely on chaos towards the net for most of their offense. Canada never seemed to truly settle in following the USA goal just a minute into the game, as superstars Marie-Philip Poulin and Sarah Nurse were the only two to get on the board. Poulin was able to clean up a bouncing back in the crease off of a long shot, finally nailing it home after being the third player to touch it. Nurse also took advantage of a rebound, as a long shot deflected by USA goaltender Nicole Hensley found its way into the lap of Nurse who pounded it home. Despite the loss, Sarah Nuse discussed the positives that she saw.
“Being able to integrate new players into our lineup, being able to just really figure things out, player under pressure. Obviously, things didn’t go our way today, but there were also a lot of learning things to take from day.”
It was a struggle for Canada to link passes together and have a structured offense (Photo by Liv Lyons)
A historic night, on the ice and in the arena
Whether it was the crowd in attendance or the achievement of Knight, there was plenty of history being written tonight. That historic crowd featured an incredible number of young athletes who undoubtedly were inspired by what they saw take place, likely creating a few new hockey players and motivating those who already do play to keep going. Players from both teams took time postgame to sign autographs and speak with those who stuck around, including a young girl that I met who plays goalie. Her family had come up from out of state to watch the event, and while I unfortunately was not able to help her meet Hilary Knight, I have strong confidence that she was inspired by what she saw and will grow into a great goaltender. Nicole Hensley, USA netminder and perhaps someone that inspired many, discussed the crowd and how important these games are.
“This was a remarkable crowd, I think breaking the record for a game on US soil was super exciting, we wanted to compete hard and give them something to cheer for... We spent a lot of time with the girls in the clinics, doing community outreach… were obviously excited to see the excitement about the game, to see so many people at our practices was great. Can’t wait to see all of the hockey players that come out of this area”
Kelly Pannek makes a pass for Team USA (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Quick notes
USA Netminder Nicole Hensley made 24 saves in the win, to improve to 2-0 in the series in her starts between the pipes.
This marks the first time since 2019 the U.S. has accomplished three consecutive wins against Canada (April 6, 2019; December 14, 2019; December 16, 2019)
The U.S. was 2-for-6 on the power play and the penalty kill went 3-for-3
Savannah Harmon and Abby Roque tallied the first goals for Team USA
Savannah Harmon turns to her teammates after scoring the first goal of the game, just 40 seconds in (Photo by Liv Lyons)
What’s next for Team USA?
The 2022-23 Rivalry Series resumes on Dec. 15 when the U.S. faces Canada in Henderson, Nev. At The Dollar Loan Center, following by a showing in Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena on Dec. 19. Puck drop for Henderson, Nev. is set for 7 p.m. PT. Thankfully for so many of us, team USA seemed very interested and excited in the idea of returning to Seattle to play. A group is already pushing for a professional Women’s pro hockey in Seattle (@WoProHoSeattle), and Clair DeGeorge (Alaska native) thinks it’s a great idea. I’ll leave you with some thoughts from her.
“It’s funny you ask, when the Kraken came around it was a big deal in Anchorage, and a ton of people fly down to see them play all the time. People would say Clair, it’s so close to you! Having a pro team in Seattle, I have to look into that, I would love that. It’s been so fun being here, it’s a great city... Just the comradery and crowds has been awesome. We’ll walk into the rink and these little girls will be waiting, wanting to talk to us... parents telling us that they’re excited to come to the game. Seeing that support from a city that has only had an NHL team for around two years, it’s really cool.”
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