Sarah Steele had an assist Friday as Canada punched its ticket to the gold medal game at the world women’s under-18 hockey championship in Finland.
Canada defeated Sweden 7-2 and now awaits the winner of the USA and Czech Republic game at 12:30 p.m. Atlantic.
Steele, a 17-year-old defenceman from Stratford, assisted on Ashleigh Brykaliuk power-play goal at 12:38 of the second period to give the Canadians a 4-1 lead.
It was Steele’s third assist of the tournament. The five-foot-five, 146-pound defenceman plays for Mississauga of the Provincial Women’s Hockey League while also attending Appleby College.
Canada scored three times with the man advantage and gave up one shorthanded.
Brykaliuk had three goals while singles went to Kristin Gilmour, Geneviève Bannon, Kristyn Capizzano and Catherine Dubois.
Canada outshot the Swedes 47-25, including 20-6 in the first period.
The gold medal game will be played Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Atlantic.
Online at: http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/193037/la_id/1.htm
