Brodt, Flanagan, Gilmore, Schepers, Snodgrass representing USA, Giguère competing for Canada Feb. 20 and 22 in Quebec
The final two games of the 2022-23 Rivalry Series between the American and Canadian National Women’s Teams take place this week in Quebec. Tonight’s game will be played in Trois-Rivières followed by Wednesday’s finale in Laval.
Six Premier Hockey Federation talents will represent their countries on this international stage with three members of the Boston Pride including forwards Elizabeth Giguère, Becca Gilmore, and defender Kali Flanagan, plus a trio of Minnesota Whitecaps forwards in Sydney Brodt, Liz Schepers, and Natalie Snodgrass.
From the Pride, Giguère is the lone Canadian in action and has suited up in all five games of the series to date. She will proudly wear the maple leaf in her home province and compete opposite her teammates donning the red, white, and blue. Gilmore made her senior national team debut this season and returns to the lineup after playing in November’s three series games. Flanagan is one of 14 players on the team with Olympic experience and won gold at the 2018 games after being crowned a world champion in 2017. The 2022 Isobel Cup champion suited up for Team USA in both of their December games.
All three Whitecaps are playing in their first Rivalry Series games of the season however Brodt returns to the national team program after winning gold with USA at the 2019 IIHF Women’s World Championship.
“It means a ton to get to represent Team USA on such a huge stage, there are so many talented players going and it’s an honor to be selected and get an opportunity to play alongside them,” Brodt said. “I was super excited and honored to be invited to play in the Rivalry Series, it’s always special when you get a chance to wear the USA jersey.”
This marks the first senior experience for both Schepers and Snodgrass who are in the midst of their first professional seasons following successful NCAA careers. Snodgrass, who graduated from the University of Connecticut, was also a PHF All-Star alongside Brodt.
“Honestly, I haven’t really expected any of these honors,” Snodgrass said. “I just kind of go out and play my best, give it my best shot, have some fun with it. So to get these opportunities have been really fulfilling for me and it’s just been a reminder that I made the right choice of coming here.”
Schepers graduated from the University of Ohio where she was a member of the 2022 national champion Buckeyes before joining the PHF and is excited for her USA debut.
“I think everybody always aspires to be like those girls that you watch when you’re growing up,” Schepers said. “You know it is something that more recently has become a reality for me. I’m pretty new to the whole U.S. program still. But now that you know these opportunities are coming my way. It’s definitely something that I’m going to be taking advantage of.”
Team USA currently leads the 2022-23 Rivalry Series three games to two and can clinch the series title with a win today. They previously won all three November games including a 4-3 shootout victory in the opener followed by 2-1 and 4-2 decisions. Canada won both December games by 3-2 scores including the fifth game in overtime. The final two games can be seen live across the United States on the NHL Network and in Canada on TSN where Toronto Six President Sami Jo Small will serve as a studio analyst.
Cover photo by Matthew Murnaghan / Hockey Canada Images
