Canada, U.S. clash in Windsor tonight
The teams meet for the first time since Milan, with Canada fielding a roster averaging 25.8 years old for the upcoming World Championship.
By Sakura Ellis ·
Canada and the United States will take the ice at the WFCU Centre in Windsor at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28. The exhibition game marks the first meeting between the two national teams since Team USA defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to claim gold at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan, Italy, in February.
The matchup serves as a warm-up for the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship, scheduled to run from November 6 to 16 in Denmark. A second pre-tournament game is set for Friday, October 30, at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan. TSN will broadcast both contests.
Hockey Canada has fielded a notably younger squad for this cycle. The 25-player roster for the world championship has an average age of 25.8, down from the Olympic team's average of 29.2. Captain Marie-Philip Poulin will not play in Denmark while recovering from knee surgery. Veteran forwards Natalie Spooner, Sarah Nurse, and Blayre Turnbull, along with goalie Emerance Maschmeyer, were invited to selection camp but could not attend.
The roster omits veteran forward Brianne Jenner and defender Jocelyne Larocque. Instead, the group includes 18-year-old forwards Rosalie Tremblay and Hayley McDonald, as well as 19-year-old defender Chloe Primerano. Right winger Laura Stacey, who earned silver medals at the 2018 and 2026 Olympics and gold in 2022, remains on the team.
Head coach Kori Cheverie stated the game provides a necessary test for the squad. She noted that several players have never faced the U.S. at this level. “There will be players who have never played the U.S. before at this level,” Cheverie said. “That’s going to be really special for them, and our veterans are always eager and chomping at the bit to get another game against the U.S.”
Stacey expressed enthusiasm for playing in front of a local crowd. “I think, not very often, that you get to see a Canada-U.S. game right in front of your eyes,” Stacey said. “I would have loved that opportunity when I was young. I think the more we can get out in these different communities, the more we can allow young girls to see it.”
She added that the energy from the stands provides a tangible boost for the athletes. “As athletes, those are the games you dream about,” Stacey said. “To feel that passion, to feel it vibrating through the stands and coming onto the ice, it definitely helps.”
Source: CKLW
