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12/12 14:53 CST Canadian concerns growing over whether women's hockey team can
defend Olympic title vs. US
Canadian concerns growing over whether women's hockey team can defend Olympic
title vs. US
By JOHN WAWROW
AP Hockey Writer
The first hint of concern regarding the readiness of Canada's women's hockey
team was raised by coach Troy Ryan two days before the defending Olympic
champions opened their four-game Rivalry Series against the United States last
month.
Whatever advantage Canada might have in returning a veteran roster with an edge
in international experience isn't enough to make a difference once the puck
drops, Ryan told The Associated Press then. What worried him particularly after
a sloppy practice was his players using that experience as a crutch.
"Sometimes what happens with experienced teams that have experienced a lot
together, complacency can creep in," he said.
"When you have trust in people, a lot of times you trust and trust and trust,
and it can end up working against you," Ryan added. "So, ?Oh, we'll be fine.
Our passing will get better. We'll be better come the Olympics,' I don't
believe in that. ... So that's the challenge. How do you keep pushing? How do
you keep finding ways to improve?"
A month and three lopsided losses later, in which the U.S. has outscored Canada
by a combined 20-6, Ryan's concerns haven't abated.
With less than two months before the women's tournament opens in Milan,
questions are being raised about not only complacency, but whether the
Canadians have the wherewithal to keep up with their speedier and younger U.S.
rivals.
"There was a lack of compete," Ryan said following a 10-4 loss to the Americans
in Edmonton, Alberta, on Wednesday. "We had a meeting this afternoon and it was
generally all on compete. And we have to be better competing."
Ryan dismissed questions over whether Canada can compete against its
cross-border rivals.
"They've got a ton of youth. They've got a ton of speed. They've got a ton of
skill," Ryan said. "It doesn't mean you can't be successful against a group
like that. But to do it, you're going to have to compete. You're going to have
to play with structure."
The series, which the U.S. leads 16-14 dates to the 2018-19 season, though the
U.S.-Canada rivalry is one of the best in sports and plays out at world
championships and Olympics as well. Both teams have huge wins.
While Rivalry Series results have previously had little bearing on which nation
has the edge in international tournaments, Canada's performance so far is cause
for concern. The 10 goals against were the most the Canadian women have ever
allowed to any opponent.
With one series game left on Saturday in Edmonton, and players returning to
their respective PWHL and college teams to resume their seasons next week, Ryan
has limited practice time to make corrections before heading to Italy.
"Of course this game is frustrating. But we have one more game against them
before the Olympics," Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin said. "These are
important games. We didn't show up. It's unacceptable. And we're all aware of
it."
The Canadians have the edge in Olympic competition, having won five gold medals
to the Americans' two (1998, 2018). The U.S., however, has closed the gap in
world championship play.
Canada still leads with 13 world titles, but the U.S. has won 11, including 10
of the last 14 following a 4-3 overtime win over Canada in the gold-medal game
in April.
And the tables have turned in the four years since Canada played a
breathtaking, up-tempo style to dominate the 2022 Beijing Games. The Canadians
finished 7-0 and outscored their opponents by a whopping margin of 57-10. The
closest anyone came to beating them was the U.S. in a 3-2 loss in the gold
medal game.
This time, the Americans appear primed to dominate with a team that features
several key holdovers in Hilary Knight, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Alex Carpenter
and Lee Stecklein. Coach John Wroblewski has spent the past four years
reinforcing his roster with a collection of youngsters such as defenders
Caroline Harvey and Laila Edwards, and the goalie tandem of Aerin Frankel and
Gwyneth Philips.
Winning three Rivalry Series outings has further motivated the Americans.
"The work doesn't stop," Coyne Schofield said. "I don't think you're ever
satisfied until that final game."
For Canada, there's even more work to do in preparation for an Olympic
tournament in which the Czech Republic and Finland are showing signs of
catching up to the world's two dominant powers.
"We definitely need to have a big reset and have a plan," Canadian defender
Jocelyne Larocque said. "Right now, we have a choice. We have a choice to
learn, to get better, to compete harder, to just play Canadian hockey."
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The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
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AP women's hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey
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