McGillian trio settle for silver at IIHF world hockey championship

(PHOTO COURTESY IIHF)

ZURICH, Switzerland - Three McGillians came away with silver medals as the Canadian national women's team settled for a 3-2 overtime loss to the U.S. at the IIHF world hockey championship, Monday.

McGill goaltender Charline Labonté of Boisbriand, Que., dressed but did not play in the gold medal final. The other two silver medalists included McGill grads Catherine Ward, a defenceman from Town of Mt. Royal, Que., who played, and goaltender Kim St-Pierre of Boisbriand, Que., who was not dressed for the final.

Hilary Knight scored the winner at 7:48 on a gift as a shot from the boards changed speed as it travelled through legs. Minutes earlier, Canada came within inches of winning the game when American forward Meghan Duggan almost tallied an "own" goal after blindly firing the puck from the offensive zone all the way back towards her defensive zone after USA goaltender Jessie Vetter had vacated the net for an extra attacker on a delayed penalty to Canada.

Jocelyne Lamoureux and Jenny Potter scored for the American side while Vetter made 51 saves for the win in front of 4,318 at the Zurich Hallenstadion. Gillian Apps and Rebecca Johnston replied for Canada. Canadian goaltender Shannon Szabados made 47 saves in a losing cause.

The Americans have now won four of the last five world titles, including  victories of 2005, 2008 and 2009.  Canada, which defeated the USA for Olympic gold in Vancouver last year, also won the Four Nations Cup in November, beating the U.S. 3-2 in overtime to win the tournament after losing to them 3-2 in a shootout during the preliminary round.

SOURCE:

Earl Zukerman

McGill Athletics & Recreation

(514-398-7012)