Hockey Series Final (Women’s National Team)

The Hockey Series Final is the second stage in the FIH Olympic Qualification process. Canada’s Women’s National Team has been placed in a tournament taking place in Valencia, Spain on June 19-27, 2019. It will be an eight-team competition featuring Canada, Belarus, Spain, Italy, Namibia, South Africa, Thailand and Wales. The top two teams from each Hockey Series Finals event will advance to the next stage featuring two qualification matches.

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Helpful links: FIH Series Website | Roster and Tournament Preview | Canada’s Young Stars – Preview

SCHEDULE

FULL MATCH SCHEDULE: FIH Series Finals – Valencia

TIME ZONE CALCULATOR

4pm Local Time –> 7am PDT –> 10am EDT
5pm Local Time –> 8am PDT –> 11am EDT
6pm Local Time –> 9am PDT –> Noon EDT
7pm Local Time –> 10am PDT –> 1pm EDT

MATCH RECAPS

GAME ONE [Canada 1 – 1 Spain]

Canada’s first test at the 2019 FIH Series Finals was a big one: taking on the hosts, world number-7, Spain. It wasn’t the start Canada had hoped for as Spain showed their energy right off the push back by blasting a long ball into the circle, collected and finished nicely by Carola Salvatella. Canada responded well by controlling the ball and making scattered forays into the Spanish zone.

With five minutes remaining in the first quarter, Brie Stairs collected the ball outside the circle, dashed into the area and smashed a beautiful backhand shot past the Spanish keeper. With the goal, Stairs now has 90 international goals in her career. She is already the most prolific goal scorer in Canadian history and added to her total today.

“We got off to a bit of a slow start but I thought we responded really well,” said Stairs. “For me, it’s always nice to contribute, whether it’s earning a PC, scoring, getting an assist. Especially nice in a major competition against a good team like Spain.”

Canada came out firing in the second half, threatening with early chances but couldn’t break the deadlock. Spain attempted long passes attempting to breach Canada’s defense several times during the first and second half, but Canada defended well and largely kept the ball in the Spanish half. Canada dominated the possession in the third and fourth quarters, but the Spanish defense held strong. Despite a flurry of late chances from the Canadians, the game finished as a 1-1 tie.

“I thought we controlled and played really well in the second half, it’s too bad we couldn’t finish any of our chances in the second half,” Stairs said. “Even though we didn’t get the result we wanted, we still got a point and now it’s about getting prepared for our next game and keep working towards our goal.”

GAME TWO [Canada 17 – 0 Namibia]

Canada was up against Namibia in game two of the tournament, where they had an opportunity to show what their offense is made of. The first goal was scored by Brie Stairs just two minutes into the game, as Canada went on a roll from there. Keeping their scoring mentality, Canada was able to take a commanding 6-0 lead before the first quarter was finished. Hannah Haughn was a star in the first quarter, scoring two late goals to further Canada’s stronghold against Namibia.

The second quarter was more of the same, with Canada capitalizing on their penalty corners early, with goals from Steph Norlander and the youngster, Elise Wong. This is Wong’s first goal in a major international tournament for team Canada, an amazing achievement for the young player.

Stairs scored three goals for Canada, raising her career goal record to 93. Canada was also able to capitalize on their penalty strokes throughout the game. Sara McManus scored an astounding four goals in this game, three of them coming from penalty strokes.

“I didn’t really expect it,” said McManus. “Normally there isn’t three strokes in a game, but I’m happy that I was able to put them away. We were really focused on making sure we stuck to our game-plan, and executed how we wanted to play.”

Canada finished the game with a 17-0 win, the highest score-line for any game in this tournament, as they try to build a big goal difference to give them a better chance at a first place group finish.

“We definitely have some history with them,” said McManus about Belarus. “We’re taking the confidence from the game today and bringing it into the game tomorrow.”

GAME THREE [Canada 3 – 0 Belarus]

The important game three was a close one against Belarus, as Canada looked to finish the group stages with a big win. It was a physical match that showed strong tackles and risky plays, as Canada fought their way to victory.

Steph Norlander scored an important first quarter goal that put Canada in the driver’s seat throughout the game, although pressure continued to come from both sides of the pitch.

“It’s always nice to get on the board early,” said Norlander. “It takes a bit of the pressure off and frees us up to play a little bit. It was an important goal. I was happy to get on the score sheet, but it’s a team game, so a lot of hard work put in by everyone.”

The second and third quarters were hard fought on both sides, with Canadian goalie Kaitlyn Williams making a few huge saves to keep Canada with a fragile 1-0 lead. Belarus goalie Maryna Navitskaya had a great third and fourth quarter, keeping her team within reach of tying it up, but Canada kept on pushing.  Natalie Sourisseau was able to control the right wing well, speeding up and slowing down the pace of the game at her leisure, while captain Kate Wright was able to pitch in with an important goal of her own. The fourth quarter is when Canada’s push began, as they controlled the ball on offense, and cruised their way to a 3-0 victory in Valencia.

Canada now gets ready for the knockout stages, and hope to carry this momentum into the more important games of the tournament. Although they are hoping for a bye into the semi-finals, Canada knows that they need to prepare for any scenario.

“Every game now is do-or-die,” said Norlander. “We know in the back of our minds that there is a little more pressure, so we need to have extra preparation and come into every game ready to go.”

SEMI-FINALS [Canada 7 – 0 Italy]

Team Canada, the 21^st ranked team in the world, vs Italy, the 17^th ranked team in the world. Canada had a tough match up en route to the next stage of Olympic qualification. It was a close first quarter of play, with Italy putting a high pressure on Canada’s veteran defensive core. However, Canada’s defense, led by Dani Hennig stood strong against the pressure, and was able to keep the ball out of the net to start the game. The game was at a standstill until the last minute of the first quarter, where Canada’s Sara McManus was able to capitalize on a penalty corner, with a great hit into the bottom corner of the net.

Italy pushed back early in the second quarter, trying to tie up the game with a few chances of their own. However, Canada’s defense was able to stand strong against the attack, – READ FULL RECAP

CHAMPIONSHIP [Canada 2 – 4 Spain]

Canada had a tough final match-up today against host nation, Spain, at the 2019 Hockey Series Finals. The energy was high in the crowds, as supporters from both teams filled the stadium. It was another early goal that caught team Canada in the first quarter, but Canada was able to bounce back with a penalty corner goal by Sara McManus. The first half was back and forth action throughout. Every goal Spain would get, Canada would come right back and tie it up. The first half finished with a close 3-2 lead for Spain.

Canada was hoping to get a quick goal to tie the game early in the second half, but Spain had a plan of their own. Three minutes into the third quarter, Spain was on the board again, with a commanding 4-2 lead. Although Canada was able to get chances, Spain’s strong defense and goalkeeping kept the door shut, – READ FULL RECAP

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