Kristin O’Neill scored two goals and added an assist as she led Canada to a 5-0 victory over the Czech Republic in a Group A game at the Women’s World Hockey Championship on Sunday afternoon in Utica.
O’Neill, a 26-year-old Ontarian who plays for the Montreal team in the Professional Women’s Hockey League, collected her three points in the first period. In the process, she set a personal career mark for the most points in a match.
Canada will complete the preliminary portion of the tournament by facing the United States, defending champions, on Monday evening.
Both teams will take the ice with identical, perfect records of three wins and no losses, tied at the top of the standings in Group A.
In her fourth appearance at the Women’s World Hockey Championship, O’Neill had a game-high five shots on goal Sunday. After three games, she leads Canada in points with two goals and two assists.
“I would say my confidence increases with every opportunity I get to play in this jersey. My role has changed within the Hockey Canada program,” said O’Neill. In the past, I was a more defensive center, but I think just finding different ways to contribute is a goal of mine, and even a goal of my line. »
O’Neill had an assist on Canada’s first goal, scored by linemate Danielle Serdachny, early in the first period.
Renata Fast, in the second period, and Laura Stacey, in the third period, both found the back of the net for the first time of the tournament.
Sarah Nurse collected two assists and Quebec goalkeeper Ann-Renée Desbiens stopped all 13 shots aimed at her, in her second start since the start of the tournament.
At the other end of the ice, Klara Peslarova faced 42 shots in front of the Czech net (1-2).
Canada opened the tournament with victories 4-1 against Finland and 3-0 against Switzerland, in two matches played within a span of less than 24 hours, Thursday and Friday.
Canada head coach Troy Ryan believes his team is on the right trajectory, starting with an unconvincing opener against Finland, followed by a better performance against Switzerland and an even stronger showing against the Czechs.
“Finland played really well against us. We just didn’t play the way we wanted to. In fact, it was a blessing in disguise, because you can feel a little more responsible at the start of the competition,” Ryan emphasized.
“It helps wake people up. We had some difficult conversations with the group. I think we improved against Switzerland. I think we moved up a gear today [dimanche]. »
Furthermore, Marie-Philip Poulin played for a little less than 15 minutes on Sunday.
Ryan has limited his use so far due to an injury that kept Poulin out of Montreal’s final three games before the international break.
“We tried to stick to a strict schedule,” Ryan said. She handles it well. Normally, she’s not the one who wants to be held back. She wants to be freed. »
Poulin had an assist in three games.
The five teams that make up Group A and those that occupy the first three positions in Group B at the end of the preliminary round will participate in the quarter-finals on Thursday.
The semi-finals will be presented on Saturday and the medal matches will take place on Sunday.