SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — In a thrilling matchup on Friday night, Team Canada emerged victorious against Team USA, winning 2-0 in a shootout, evening the Rivalry Series at one game each. The pivotal moment came when Marie-Phillip Poulin netted the decisive goal in the shootout, followed closely by 17-year-old Chloe Primerano, who scored her first career goal, securing the win for her team.

Canada initially took control of the game with a short-handed goal from Poulin during the second period. Laura Stacey contributed by scoring twice, while Emma Maltais added another on a power play, giving Canada a 4-1 advantage in the final period. With over seven minutes left on the clock, Canada was granted a five-minute power play, which they could not capitalize on, much to the delight of the lively Salt Lake City crowd that rallied in support of Team USA.

Tensions escalated when Hayley Scamurra slammed Poulin into the boards, causing the captain to tumble to the ice, visibly in distress as she clutched her right shoulder. While her teammates continued the power play, Poulin was assisted off the ice and could be seen working her shoulder on the bench.

However, just moments into what was supposed to be their advantage, Canada received a two-minute penalty for cross-checking. Seizing the opportunity, Team USA opted to pull goalkeeper Nicole Hensley in favor of an extra skater. Captain Hilary Knight pounced on a rebound to cut the deficit to 4-2. Grace Zumwinkle then added a short-handed goal, marking her second goal of the match, bringing the score to 4-3, before Knight found the net again with just 1:26 left on the clock to tie the game at 4-4.

With neither side scoring during the 3-on-3 overtime, the game shifted to a shootout where Team Canada goalkeeper Ann-Renée Desbiens proved unbeatable against five USA attempts. Though Hensley thwarted Brianne Jenner on Canada’s first shot, Poulin managed to slip one past her, putting Canada ahead 1-0 in the shootout. Quick stops followed on shots from Laila Edwards, Kirsten Simms, and Zumwinkle before Primerano clinched the win with her close-in backhand shot on Canada’s fifth attempt.

For the USA, Gwyneth Phillips started but allowed a goal to Stacey in the first period, leading to Hensley’s substitution at the start of the second. The series now stands tied at one game apiece, with the next contest set for Sunday in Boise, Idaho. The final two matches of the five-game series will occur in Canada come February.