August 27, 2000
NR.076

CANADA'S NATIONAL WOMEN'S UNDER 22 TEAM LOSES FINAL GAME OF THREE-GAME SERIES AGAINST USA IN MEDICINE HAT, AB

MEDICINE HAT, AB-Canada's National Women's Under 22 Team lost it's final game in a three-game series against the USA 5-2 in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Canada won the series two games to one.

Canada carried the play in the first twenty minutes, outshooting their USA opponents 16-8. The Canadian side failed however to solve USA goaltender Melissa Glaser . Glaser was replaced early in the second period, and Canada beat Jackie MacMillan shortly after, as Cheryl Muranko, of Cambridge, ON, beat the USA goaltender with a slapshot at 6:31, to give Canada a 1-0 lead.

USA evened the score with it's first powerplay of the series, as Krissy Wendell beat Tania Pinelli, of Hamilton, ON, from in close at 10:12 as USA was enjoying a two player advantage.

But Carly Haggard, of Port Alberni, BC, put Canada in front once again at 14:12, stealing the puck from the USA defender and beating MacMillan on the breakaway. USA forward Wendell evened the score once again at 18:14.

USA struck with two more powerplay goals in the third, from Wendell, her third of the game, and defender Angela Ruggeiro to take a 4-2 lead. Brooke White added an empty-net goal to make the final 5-2.

Canada was without forward Cherie Piper, of Scarborough, ON, who suffered a minor knee injury in Canada's 4-1 victory on Friday. Canada won two previous games in Calgary, AB by scores of 3-1 and 4-1.