Geneviève Lacasse, Marie-Philip Poulin lead the way as Canada evens Rivalry Series

Exactly a year earlier, Geneviève Lacasse made her Olympic debut, making 44 saves en route to a 2-1 win against the United States in the round robin at the PyeongChang games.

The stage on Thursday night was not as bright, but the result was the same as Lacasse made 24 saves in a 4-3 Canada win to even the Rivalry Series at 1-1 heading into the finale on Sunday afternoon.

The United States got on the board first when Alex Carpenter scored on the power play just 7:03 into the game. Canada came right back with a goal of their own, when Laura Stacey made a perfect pass to Marie-Philip Poulin who scored Canada’s first goal of the series after being shut out on Tuesday.

Hannah Brandt would make it 2-1 USA less than two minutes later, beating Lacasse by pouncing on a bouncing puck. Once again that lead would not last long as Laura Fortino scored on the power play as Ann-Sophie Bettez was all up in Katie Burt’s business and actually ended the play on top of her.

The Canadians kept going, taking the lead with 36 seconds remaining in the first period on another power play as Brianne Jenner beat Burt.

There would be no scoring in the second period, but Canada opened up a 23-12 shot advantage aided by six straight United States penalties through the first and second periods. Canada had the first penalty of the game.

Lacasse came up big in the third period, as the US had 15 of their 27 shots in the final 20 minutes pushing for the equalizer.

Jamie Lee Rattray gave Canada a 4-2 lead in the first half of the third period but the United States would strike back as the line of Hilary Knight, Kendall Coyne Schofield and Brianna Decker combined to make it 4-3 with just under 10 minutes to go.

Lacasse would hold the one goal lead with huge saves on Alex Carpenter, and then on Hilary Knight.

The final game of the series is Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Eastern from Detroit. The game will be broadcast on NHL Network in the US, and TSN5 and RDS in Canada.

Les Canadiennes showcasing their talent

There are seven members of Les Canadiennes at the Rivalry Series and they have all played a significant role through the first two games. Emerance Maschmeyer and Lacasse split duties through the first two games. Maschmeyer allowed one goal in a 1-0 loss on Tuesday. Shannon Szabados will get the start on Sunday.

Poulin had a goal and an assist in the win on Thursday. Bettez has looked like she belongs on Canada’s top line, providing speed and puck retrieval. Erin Ambrose had an assist and has been one of Canada’s top defenders on the breakout and the power play. Jill Saulnier has shown her speed with the puck throughout the first two games as well.

Hilary Knight, the lone American from Les Canadiennes has been one of, if not their best forward and was reunited with her two superstar linemates late in Thursday’s game.

Of course, the Canadiennes play two games this weekend and will be without their stars, but it will provide other players with a great opportunity in two big games against the Worcester Blades this weekend.