In a rematch of the final from the 2009 World Championships, Canada got off to an oustanding start in their match against the United States opening up a 2-0 lead after the first quarter. In the second period with Canada up 3-0, Team USA battled back first wtih a goal from Jessica Steffens (Danville, CA) to get on the board at 3-1. Moments later Lolo Silver (Long Beach, CA) found the net on a lob to draw within 3-2. The United States came all the way back with a score from Kelly Rulon (San Diego, CA) at the 2:18 mark to tie it up at 3-3. They went ahead for the first time all day with another Rulon goal for a 4-3 lead at halftime.
After the intermission the United States kept it rolling with a score from Annika Dries (Laguna Beach, CA) out of two meters for a 5-3 advantage. Canada countered with strong defense and consecutive goals to knot the match at 5-5 with :19 remaining in the quarter.
The final period was back and forth throughout with Canada grabbing the lead at 6-5 just seconds in the period. From there Erika Figge (Santa Margarita, CA) hit from distance to tie the game back at 6-6. Canada again took the lead only to be answered by Team USA with a Jillian Kraus (Santa Ana, CA) goal for a 7-7 game. Against Canada took the lead, this time with :57 remaining in the match, but Kraus came calling again with a huge goal at the :46 mark to the tie the game at 8-8. Both teams last chances would yield nothing and the game ended in an 8-8 tie.
Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI) went the whole way in net for the United States posting four saves while Rachel Riddell stopped five shots for Canada.
Scoring
USA 8 (0, 4, 1, 3) J. Kraus 2, K. Rulon 2, L. Silver 1, E. Figge 1, J. Steffens 1, A. Dries 1
CAN 8 (2, 1, 2, 3) E. Csikos 3, M. Radu 3, J. Bekhazi 1, T. Campbell 1
Saves - USA - B. Armstrong 4 - CAN - R. Riddell 5
Final Holiday Cup Standings:
1. Australia
2. USA
3. Canada
4. Russia
5. Netherlands
6. Italy
Awards
MVP - Bronwen Knox - Australia
Top Goalie - Victoria Brown - Australia
Top Scorer - Mieke Cabout - Netherlands