2017-18 National Women's Team

CANADA GOING FOR GOLD AFTER BLANKING FINNS AT 4 NATIONS

JEMMA YOUNG

TAMPA, Fla. – Canada’s National Women’s Team secured its spot in the gold medal game at the 2017 4 Nations Cup after shutting out Finland 4-0 in its preliminary-round finale Friday.

The Canadians will face the United States in the final Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT) at Amalie Arena, home of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning. It will be the 20th time the North American rivals meet for gold at the tournament, with Canada in search of its 15th title.

Marie-Philip Poulin (Beauceville, Que./Montreal, CWHL) and Meghan Agosta (Ruthven, Ont.) earned two points each in the win – a goal and an assist for Poulin, and two helpers for Agosta.

The first Canadian goal came on a five-on-three power play 13:27 into the first period; Brianne Jenner (Oakville, Ont./Calgary, CWHL) finished a beautiful passing play with touches from Poulin and Agosta.

Canada dominated the second and third periods, allowing only one shot per stanza.

Canadian netminder, Geneviève Lacasse (Kingston, Ont./Calgary, CWHL) posted the shutout – her second of the tournament – with an eight-save effort.

Of the nine shots Canada tallied in the second period, it made good on two.

Poulin capitalized on a body-checking call against Finland, scoring on another man advantage midway through the middle frame.

Less than four minutes later, Jennifer Wakefield (Pickering, Ont./Linköping HC, SWE) broke into the Finnish zone and dangled around goaltender Noora Räty to put Canada up 3-0 headed into the intermission.

Sarah Nurse (Hamilton, Ont./University of Wisconsin, WCHA) provided the offence in the third period, with assists going to Haley Irwin (Thunder Bay, Ont./Calgary, CWHL) and Laura Fortino (Hamilton, Ont./Markham, CWHL).