The U.S. women’s hockey team lost a shootout to Canada in the Four Nations Cup title game Saturday, squandering a 2-1 lead for the second time in four days to its rival and falling 3-2.
“Coach [Ken Klee] just said there’s no such thing as moral victories,” U.S. Olympic forward Brianna Decker said. “It’s a learning experience. We have World Championships in April [in Malmo, Sweden], so hopefully we can get them back then.”
Canadian Olympian Brianne Jenner scored the only shootout goal, beating U.S. goalie Molly Schaus. Schaus was the No. 2 U.S. goalie at the 2014 Olympics.
Jenner also scored the first Canadian goal in the Sochi Olympic gold-medal game, sparking a comeback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in overtime.
“They’re our rivals, and we don’t want to drop a game to them,” Jenner said, according to The Associated Press.
The U.S. and Canada Four Nations Cup rosters were a mix of Olympians and non-Olympians. Neither starting goalie from the Sochi gold-medal game was on the teams.
Decker and Sochi Olympic teammate Hilary Knight potted second-period goals Saturday, but Canada drew even late in the second in Kamloops, B.C.
“We’re not satisfied with it, but we played out hearts out,” Klee said. “I think there’s no question that we’re right there with them.”
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