As the chill of the Saskatchewan night settled over the city of Saskatoon, tension crackled through the air at the Rivalry Series Game 5. In what would become a pivot point for Canadian prospects, Ashton Bell and Renata Fast became the architects of a stirring comeback, lighting the lamp within a mere 158 seconds of each other in the decisive third period. Canada, with a formidable rally, snatched victory from the clutches of defeat, outpacing the United States 4-2 on that electrifying Wednesday night.
With this win, Canada, clawing back from the brink, narrowed the American lead in the series to 3-2, setting the stage for a grueling showdown with two contests remaining. The teams would next face-off in Regina, Saskatchewan, maintaining the battle on Canadian ice, before heading to the climactic conclusion on Sunday in the hallowed arena of the Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Bell’s equalizer chimed with a mere 8:31 left on the clock, injecting hope back into the hearts of the home crowd. Then, Fast plunged the dagger deeper with a decisive go-ahead score at 5:53 remaining, effectively turning the tide in Canada’s favor.
The series had oscillated across the map, beginning in Tempe, Arizona, with the U.S. claiming an opening win of 3-1, then doubling down with a 5-2 victory in Los Angeles. December saw the series shift to Kitchener, Ontario, where the U.S. secured a narrow 3-2 edge, only to witness Canada’s resolve in Sarnia, Ontario, where the home team refused to go quietly, achieving a nail-biting 3-2 shootout win.
Brianne Jenner joined the chorus of Canadian scorers, tying the game early in the second period with a power-play marker at 47 seconds, while Laura Stacey added an exclamation point, dispatching the puck into an empty U.S. net as the final minute waned. In goal, Ann-Renee Desbiens was a bulwark, turning away 14 shots with poise.
Grace Zumwinkle had initially launched the U.S. ahead with a strike at just 2:44 into the first frame. Following Jenner’s equalizer, it was Gabbie Hughes who reclaimed the lead for the Americans, registering a go-ahead goal with only 6:14 left in the second period.
However, the night ultimately belonged to the Canadians, as their unyielding spirit translated into celebratory cheers echoing through the frigid Prairie skies. As the two teams regroup and reel forward towards their next encounters, the blades of destiny are freshly sharpened on the ice of international rivalry. This series, a testament to the deep-seated competition between these storied adversaries, continues to carve its unpredictable path through the annals of women’s hockey.
