Hockey’s Women’s Rivalry Series comes to LA.
Southern California Hockey Fans in for a Treat as Team USA and Team Canada Face Off
Southern California women’s hockey fans won’t have to go far to see the world’s top two teams next month.
Team USA and Team Canada, which have combined to win all seven Olympic gold medals in the history of the sport, are set to face off at 1 p.m. Nov. 11 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles as part of the annual Rivalry Series between the two nations.
The series will lead up to the 2024 International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship, which is set for April 3–14 in Utica, New York. The first of seven games between the United States and Canada is scheduled for Nov. 8 at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona, with the finale Feb. 11 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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Four games will be played in Canada, Dec. 14 and Dec. 16 in Kitchener and Sarnia, Ontario, respectively, and then Feb. 7 and Feb. 9 in Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan, respectively.
“The U.S.-Canada rivalry is one of the best rivalries in all of sports, not just hockey,” USA Hockey Manager of Communications Melissa Katz told The Epoch Times. “We’re excited for another great seven-game series. Los Angeles was such a great host last year, and we’re super excited to come back.”
While the Team USA roster is not expected to be announced until the middle of this month, it is likely to be much the same as the group that captured the gold medal at this year’s World Championship in Brampton, Ontario in April. The U.S. has won 10 gold medals, including six of the past eight, in 22 all-time World Championship tournaments, as well as two Olympic gold medals.
Four-time Olympian and 2023 IIHF female player of the year Hillary Knight, and University of Wisconsin star Caroline Harvey, the leading scorer in the 2023 World Championship, are among those likely to be on the ice in Los Angeles. So, too, are University of Minnesota standout Taylor Heise, the No. 1 overall selection in last month’s inaugural Professional Women’s Hockey League draft, and Southern California native Cayla Barnes.
A member of Team USA’s gold medal-winning entry in the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, Barnes was a four-time Hockey East all-star at Boston College who is currently playing her final collegiate season at Ohio State.
“There will be a lot of names that everybody knows on these rosters, but we have an evaluation camp, and we have an evaluation period, which the Rivalry Series is part of,” Ms. Katz said. “What’s great about this seven-game series is there are so many touchpoints to see a large majority of the player pool.”
USA Hockey and Team Canada introduced the Rivalry Series with a three-game matchup in 2018–19. The most recent seven-game edition featured Canada winning the final four contests, after the U.S. had captured the first three.
Among the highlights for Team USA last season was a 4–2 victory at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena that drew a record-breaking crowd of 15,551. The previous attendance mark had been set at Anaheim’s Honda Center in 2020.
“The reputation this rivalry has, whenever we come to town, people know it’s going to be a great game and it’s going to be intense,” Ms. Katz said. “It’s one of those things where you watch it once and you’re like, ‘I want to watch every single game now.’”
Who are some of the key players to watch on the Team Canada roster for the upcoming game against Team USA?
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The Team Canada roster is also expected to feature some of the biggest names in women’s hockey. Captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who scored the overtime gold medal-winning goal in the 2014 Olympic final against the United States, will be a key player to watch. Other notable players include forward Natalie Spooner, defenseman Renata Fast, and goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens.
This highly anticipated matchup between Team USA and Team Canada is not only a clash between two hockey powerhouses but also the continuation of a historic rivalry. These two teams have been battling it out on the ice for decades, creating some of the most memorable moments in women’s hockey history. The intense competition, skillful plays, and high stakes make for an exhilarating experience for both players and fans.
For Southern California hockey fans, this is an extraordinary opportunity to witness firsthand the greatness of these two teams. Crypto.com Arena, with its state-of-the-art facilities and capacity of over 18,000 fans, is the perfect venue to host this epic battle. The city of Los Angeles has a rich hockey history, and the passionate fanbase is sure to create an electrifying atmosphere during the game.
Not only is this event a treat for hockey fans, but it also serves as a significant stepping stone leading up to the 2024 International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship. The Rivalry Series will be a crucial test for both teams as they prepare to compete on the global stage. The players will utilize this opportunity to fine-tune their skills, strategize against their biggest rivals, and develop team chemistry.
Additionally, the Rivalry Series provides a platform to promote and grow women’s hockey. The sport has seen significant growth in recent years, with more opportunities for female athletes to showcase their talents. By hosting high-profile games like Team USA vs. Team Canada, the sport gains visibility and attracts new fans, inspiring a future generation of hockey players.
In conclusion, Southern California hockey fans are in for a treat as Team USA and Team Canada face off at Crypto.com Arena. This highly anticipated game is not only a display of world-class talent and intense competition but also an opportunity to witness the continuation of a historic rivalry. The Rivalry Series serves as a significant stepping stone leading up to the 2024 Women’s World Championship and provides a platform to promote and grow women’s hockey. So mark your calendars for November 11th and get ready to experience an unforgettable hockey showdown.
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