Canadian women’s hockey team beats U.S. to clinch 3rd straight Rivalry Series title
Canada emerged victorious in the fifth and deciding game of the 2024-25 Rivalry Series against the United States, with Jennifer Gardiner scoring the game-winning goal at 13:16 of the third period. The intense matchup took place at Credit Union Place in Summerside, P.E.I., where Canadian fans witnessed their team secure a 3-1 win over their rivals.
The game started off with Brianne Jenner giving Canada a 1-0 lead at 6:48 in the second period. However, Kelly Pannek of the United States managed to tie the game at 3:03 of the third period, setting the stage for Gardiner’s heroics. The Surrey, B.C. native delivered a clutch performance, scoring the go-ahead goal that ultimately sealed the victory for Canada. Laura Stacey added an insurance marker with just 1:19 left in the game, securing the win for the Canadian team.
Danielle Serdachny played a crucial role in the game, providing assists on the first two Canadian goals. In the net, Canadian goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer put on a stellar performance, stopping 28 of 29 shots. On the opposing side, U.S. goalie Aerin Frankel faced a barrage of shots from the Canadian team, stopping 40 of 43 attempts.
“It was a good game overall. I thought we played well and outplayed them. It would have been nice to score a couple of goals early, so it took us a while to get going,” commented Canadian coach Troy Ryan after the game. “I thought we made a couple of adjustments after the first period, and we finally took the game over from there.”
Gardiner expressed her excitement at playing in the final and making a significant impact on the game. “It is pretty incredible. Just to put the jersey on is a huge honor, but to get on the scoreboard just felt like one of the most incredible feelings. I couldn’t even explain it really — it felt like I blacked out for a second,” shared Gardiner. “The whole sequence of events, doing it on home soil in Canada and with the group we have in the locker room is incredible. With all the love and support from the staff and players, it has been a night I’ll never forget, that’s for sure.”
The victory marked Canada’s redemption after suffering defeats to the United States earlier in the series. The Americans had previously won 7-2 in San Jose, Calif., and secured a 2-1 shootout victory in Halifax, N.S. However, Canada bounced back with wins in West Valley City, Utah (5-4 in a shootout), and Boise, Idaho (4-1), ultimately forcing the series to go the distance for the third consecutive year.
As the Canadian women’s hockey team celebrates their third straight Rivalry Series title, fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics. With the team’s recent success and strong performances, the future looks promising as they aim to defend their gold medal.
