United States goaltender Nicole Hensley stops Canada's Marie-Philip Poulin on a penalty shot during a Rivalry Series game in Kelowna, B.C., on Nov. 15, 2022.Jesse Johnston/The Canadian Press
Canada’s women’s hockey team needs back-to-back wins against the U.S. to win their Rivalry Series.
The seven-game series will conclude with games Feb. 20 at Colisee Videotron in Trois-Rivieres and Feb. 22 at Place Bell in Laval, Que., Hockey Canada announced Thursday.
The U.S. took the first three games 4-3 in a shootout in Kelowna, B.C., 2-1 in Kamloops, B.C., and 4-2 in Seattle.
Canada won the next two games by scores of 3-2 in Henderson, Nev., and Los Angeles in a game that went to overtime.
American forward Hilary Knight tops the series with four goals and three assists in five games.
Captain Marie-Philip Poulin of Beauceville, Que., leads Canada with three goals and an assist.
The NHL’s Montreal Canadiens and ECHL affiliate Trois-Rivieres Lions are partners with Hockey Canada for the two games in Quebec.
“The Montreal Canadiens have been longtime supporters of women’s hockey and this is a continuation of our ongoing commitment to helping grow the game,” Canadiens president of sport and entertainment France Margaret Belanger said in a statement.
“We’re proud to partner with Hockey Canada on an event that will showcase elite talent, including many Quebec-born players such as our own Marie-Philip Poulin, who will have a chance to play in front of their fans on home ice.”
The women’s team and Hockey Canada agreed in their athletes’ agreement announced last month that a revenue-sharing agreement on Rivalry Series will allow the athletes to make money on the event.
Canada has beaten the U.S. in the final of two straight women’s world championships and will chase a third title April 5-16 in Brampton, Ont.