Former Ice netminder sparks Canada's U18 women's squad to victory over Team USA
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Kootenay Ice netminder Kimberley Newell stopped 32 shots, along with a big save in shootout, sparking Canada’s women’s under-18 hockey team to a 5-4 win over the United States 5-4 on Sunday in Blaine, Minn.
The win clinched the three-game exhibition series for the Canadians.
Ashleigh Brykaliuk (Brandon, Man./Balmoral Hall, JWHL) and Karly Heffernan (St. Albert, Alta./Edge School, JWHL) each scored for Canada in shootout.
Canada’s head coach Jim Fetter said Sunday the series victory should give Canada confidence ahead of the world championship in January in Vierumaki, Finland.
“Now the girls think they can beat the U.S. It’s in their minds so they’re confident,” said Fetter.
“I think with the collapse we had in the third today the girls will be a little more focused now going into that game and knowing that we’re going to have to play 60 minutes.”
Newell, from Burnaby, moved to Nelson last year to play in the boy’s Major Midget League for the Kootenay Ice.
The Lower Mainland star is now off to Princeton to attend school in the fall.
Canada won the opening game of the exhibition series 3-2 before the USA stormed back to capture game two 3-1.
Newell was in goal for the opening tilt.
