A Game of Firsts For Canada as They Take Care of Business in Tournament Opener

The reigning Women’s World Champions picked things up right where they left them in Thursday’s opener against Finland as they picked up a 5-0 win thanks to the help of Jennifer Gardiner who impressed in her World’s debut with two goals and an assist.

Entering the game, Canada’s lineup had four players who were making their Worlds debut. Jennifer Gardiner earned a spot on the top side along with her Montreal Victoire linemates Mari-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey. Chloe Primeno, Daryl Watts, and backup goaltender Ève Gascon also all made their Worlds debuts in Canada’s win.

A few hours before puck drop, the Montreal Victoire announced that goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens had been activated from long-term injured reserve, indicating that she would be good to go for Team Canada at this year’s tournament after leaving a game on March 18th with a lower-body injury. Despite this move, Troy Ryan and the Hockey Canada coaching staff decided to start Kirsten Campbell and have NCAA stand out, Ève Gascon backup. 

It only took Jennifer Gardiner 6 minutes into her first-career Women’s Worlds game to find the back of the net as she scored Canada’s first of the tournament off a wrist shot from the face-off dot beating Finland’s Emilia Kyrkkö on Canada’s fourth shot of the game.

Later in the first period Ella Shelton would double Canada’s lead. As the first period continued, it was the Jennifer Gardiner Show again as she would find Marie-Philip Poulin in front with Canada’s 11th shot of the period. Troy Ryan put his first line out to start the second period and in just 17 seconds Gardiner doubled her Worlds goal total with her second of the game. Finland would go on to make a goaltending change as Anni Keisala came into the game. 

Anni Keisala put on a strong performance in the two periods of action she saw against Canada. Emma Maltais would score the fifth and final goal of the game as Keisala stopped 20 shots in relief for Kyrkkö. 

Kristen Campbell had one of the more quiet shutouts of her career in Canada’s opener but it’s one she won’t ever forget. In her previous four World Championships Campbell had never started for Canada as she’s primarily been the third goaltender behind Ann-Renée Desbiens and Emerance Maschmeyer. Things were quiet for Campbell in the first two periods but the Finns would come out hot in the third period testing the M-born goalie. With 14 shots faced in the final frame, Kristen Campbell not only picked up the win in her first Worlds start, she also would earn the shutout as well with a 24-save performance as the reigning champs blanked Team Finland who is now 0-2 to start the tournament. 

"We just have to be better in the D-zone and then build on the O-zone as well when we get our chances and score from the places we're going to get," said Finnish defender Nelli Laitinen in the IIHF recap. 

Following a disappointing 7-1 loss against the United States, the Finns failed to bounce back in their second of the tournament. The defensive zone and goaltending continues to be a struggle for the 2024 Bronze Medalists. Canada has now won four straight against Finland. Canada will face Switzerland on Friday.

Group A is a blood bath. We know that. And the Finns know that. They’ll look to pick up a much needed win against host Czechia on Saturday.

Other Games on Day 2 

Japan vs. Norway

The second game of Day 2 might have been the most entertaining of the three. It was a historic matchup as it marked the first time in IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship history where the two countries met. 

It didn’t take long for Norway to score in their return to the top division for the first time since 1997. Andrea Dalen would give the Norwegians the early lead just 2:05 into the game. 

With just under 4 minutes remaining in the second period, Japan took the 4-2 lead off of a top-shelf goal from Riri Noro. As the final buzzer in the third period rang, Japan would spoil Norway’s return to the top division with a 5-2 victory.

Japan will play Hungary on Friday while Japan will face Germany on Saturday.

Sweden vs. Hungary

Team Sweden would continue their winning ways in their second game of the tournament as they would pick up the 2-0 victory over a hardworking Team Hungary. It was definitely not Sweden’s best game that they could have played, but despite that they still managed to scrape away the win, despite Hungary’s tough and gritty play.

Linnéa Johansson scored Sweden’s first of the game followed by a goal from Lina Ljungblom to double Sweden’s lead. Sweden now sits atop Group B with a 2-0 record, while Hungary looks to bounce back from their opening loss as they face Japan on Friday. Sweden will face Norway on Sunday.

Tomorrow’s Games (April 11)

🇭🇺 Hungary vs Japan 🇯🇵
11am (Local) / 5am (EST)

🇨🇭Switzerland vs Cananda 🇨🇦
3pm (Local) / 9am (EST)

🇺🇸 USA vs Czechia 🇨🇿
7pm (Local) / 1pm (EST)

Game to Watch: USA vs Czechia
If you watched Day 1's games you saw the energy that the hometown Czechia brought. With a high powered USA team and an energized Czechia team, this is my game to watch during Day 3 of the 2025 Women's World Championships.