In a thrilling overtime matchup, Canada claimed victory over Team USA in the gold medal game at the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship. Danielle Serdachny scored the game-winning goal, securing a 6-5 win for Canada. This win came after the Americans had triumphed on Canadian soil the previous year. Leading up to the tournament, Serdachny had an impressive season at Colgate University, earning 61 points and is now set to start her professional career after declaring for the PWHL draft.
The high-scoring gold medal game featured multiple lead changes and intense competition between the two powerhouse teams. U.S. captain Hilary Knight scored four goals in the tournament, while the Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin scored two goals in the final game. While these veteran players continue to shine on the international stage, new talent is also emerging. Young players like Laila Edwards from the University of Wisconsin and Julia Gosling are making their mark at the Women’s Worlds and bringing a fresh perspective to the competition.
The tournament also saw growing parity among teams, with the Czech Republic settling for fourth place after a shootout loss to Finland, who claimed their first medal since 2021. The Swiss team managed to secure fifth place and held off Germany in a tight overtime win. As the gap between European and North American teams narrows, the format of the tournament may need to be reconsidered to ensure equitable competition and development for all teams.
Off the ice, the tournament saw a significant increase in attendance, drawing over 68,000 fans to the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, NY. While the U.S. and Canada dominated their opponents throughout the tournament, the focus will now shift back to the PWHL as teams gear up for the playoffs. With only a few games left in the regular season, the race for playoff spots and seeding in the six-team circuit is still wide open.
Overall, the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship showcased the continued dominance of traditional powerhouses like the U.S. and Canada, while also highlighting the emergence of new talent on the international stage. As the sport of women’s hockey continues to evolve, the tournament provided an exciting display of skill, passion, and dedication from all participating teams. Fans can look forward to more thrilling competition in the upcoming seasons as the sport continues to grow in popularity and reach new heights.
