Martlet netminders help Canada reach semifinals at IIHF World Championship

(McGILLIANS KIM ST-PIERRE, CATHERINE WARD, PETER SMITH, CHARLINE LABONTE POSE WITH OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALS AFTER VANCOUVER GAMES)

WINTERTHUR, Switzerland - Buttressed by shutouts from a couple of McGill goaltenders, the Canadian national women's hockey team has earned a bye to Saturday's semifinal at the IIHF world  championship, finishing atop Group B with a 3-0 record.

Canada has scored 21 goals and has yet to yield a goal, with all three goalies taking turns to post a shutout. Current McGill goalie Charline Labonte of Boisbriand, Que., stopped 19 shots in a 12-0 win over Switzerland to open the tourney on Saturday, and Kim St-Pierre, a McGill grad from Chateauguay, Que., turned back 13 shots in a 7-0 win over Kazakhstan on Sunday.

Shannon Szabados of Edmonton made 14 saves for the shutout in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Finland as Canada improved their all-time preliminary round record at the IIHF tourney to a perfect 35-0 since 1990.

Defenceman Catherine Ward of TMR, Que., another McGill graduate, has registered two assists in the three games.

Saturday’s semifinal, which can be seen live on TSN and RDS. With a win, Canada would advance to the gold medal game (Sunday, 2 p.m. Eastern on, TSN and RDS) for the 13th time in as many world championship appearances.

Canada is attempting to win its 10th gold medal all-time at the Worlds, having previously won gold in 1990, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004 and 2007. Canada has appeared in every gold medal game since the first IIHF championship in Ottawa, Ont., in 1990, winning silver in 2005, 2008 and 2009.

SOURCE:

Earl Zukerman

McGill Athletics & Recreation

514-398-7012