2024 Worlds Recap: Team Canada

Heading into Sunday’s gold medal game, Canada had a 5-1-0 record, with their only preliminary loss coming in OT against the United States. At the tail end of it, though, they would beat that very same U.S. team to enact revenge for last year's loss – this time, on American soil.

Renata Fast might have played the best hockey she’s ever played while donning the maple leaf in Utica. The PWHL Toronto defender had 3 goals and 3 assists during the tournament and at times carried Canada on both ends of the ice. During the quarterfinals against Sweden, Fast had 2 goals for Canada as they went on to win 5-1.

During Canada’s 2024 Women’s World Championships there were two key moments that really stuck out to me. The first one came moments before Team USA defeated Canada in overtime during preliminary action. Seconds before Kristen Simms scored the overtime winner, there was some controversy, as it looked like the officiating crew might’ve missed a trip on Brianne Jenner. That oversight resulted in an odd-player rush for the Americans.

Now you might be sitting here like “Okay, Alyssa, but how is this a key moment for Canada?” Well, I am so glad you asked. I could write an entire essay on the greatness and chaos that the gold medal game resulted in. From seeing a billion and one goals, to when Danielle Serdachny scored the eventual overtime game winner, it was truly a game for the ages, one I’ll personally remember for a long time.

When the game went to overtime, Team USA took a terribly timed too many players penalty. As explained below by Spencer Fascetta of Castleton Women’s Ice Hockey, the youngster Kirsten Simms took a regrettable penalty which would give Canada the power play in overtime.  

Now, I’m not saying Canada went into the gold medal game remembering that missed trip, but what I am saying is: that’s some crazy coincidence. 

If there’s one thing Team Canada needs to heavily improve on heading into next year’s worlds, it’s gotta be the power play. On 18 attempts during the tournament, Canada only scored TWICE – with one of those goals being the OT winner. With a team with this much star power, that’s just inexcusable.

If you don’t know the name Danielle Serdachny well enough yet, don’t worry: you’re going to hear her name more and more. The Colgate grad is projected to go top-5 in the upcoming PWHL Draft and will make an immediate impact within the team that gets her.

PWHL Toronto had seven players on Team Canada at this year’s World Championships. Those seven players also recently helped Toronto become the first PWHL team to clinch a playoff spot. 

In total, Team Canada had 19 (!!!) PWHL players on the Gold Medal roster. With the final stretch of the inaugural regular season underway, you can follow along with a good chunk of Canada’s roster in the PWHL.