Michiganders help U.S. rally, but fall short in women's U18 gold medal game vs. Canada
Four Michiganders helped the US rally from a 3-0 deficit against Canada in Monday night's IIHF under-18 women's World Championships. Ultimately, the team's rally fell short, as Canada took home the gold medal in a 3-2 victory.
Metro Detroit natives Elyssa Biederman, Cassie Hall, Kirsten Simms and Annelies Bergmann saw action for the U.S.
Entering the game outscoring opponents 21-3 in the tournament, the U.S. fell behind in the first period after a hooking call against Simms, a forward from Plymouth, allowed Canada to score on a power play. The Canadians added two goals in the second period to take a 3-0 advantage.
The U.S. responded quickly with goals from left forwards Finley McCarthy and Claire Enright within a seven-second stretch. Defense reigned in the game's final period, as both teams failed to find the net despite power play opportunities. Canada claimed its sixth gold medal in women's under-18 competition.
Enright, whose goal came on her lone shot of the night, was named the U.S. player of the game by the IIHF.
Biederman, a forward from Franklin, took one shot on the night. Hall, of South Lyon, also had an attempt and Simms took four. Bergmann, a goalie from Detroit, ended with 18 saves and three goals allowed.
SHE'S GOOD: Charyl Stockwell's record-shattering soccer player Cassie Hall is even better at hockey
As a team, the U.S. took 31 shots and played six penalty minutes. Canada took 21 shots, made 29 saves and played eight penalty minutes.
The teams previously met in the tournament's final preliminary round June 9, when the U.S. won, 7-0. This was the 13th time the US faced Canada in the championship game, with the US winning seven of the previous matchups, including the 2017 and 2020 gold medal games. Canada bested the US in the 2019 world title matchup.
The U.S. qualified for the 2022 gold medal game by defeating Sweden, 3-2, on June 12. Canada beat Finland, 2-1.
Brianna Decker, a three-time Olympian, six-time world champion and the 2012 NCAA player of the year, was one of many mentors to the US's U18 squad. In an interview with NHL Network after the first period, Decker revealed she was a mentor to Biederman throughout the tournament.
During the US's run, Decker's advice for Biederman and her team was simple.
"Honestly, the message was to all of the kids, and I gave it her, is just enjoy the moment," Decker said in the segment. "Have fun with it, but definitely take it one game at a time. I was really happy to see the US did that."
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: US falls in IIHF U18 women's worlds gold medal game vs. Canada
