USA put their name in the history books as the inaugural champions of the World Para Ice Hockey Women’s World Championships, defeating Canada 7–1 in a thrilling final on Sunday (31 August) at the Dolny Kubin Winter Stadium in Slovakia.
Tournament MVP Kelsey DiClaudio led the charge with a spectacular four-goal performance, including a historic moment that will be remembered for years to come.
For the first time all week, the USA faced real resistance in a high-intensity opening period. But at 13:29, DiClaudio broke the deadlock with a moment of brilliance – scoring the first-ever “Michigan” goal in Women’s World Championships history. Coming from behind the net, she lifted the puck onto her stick and tucked it in at close range to give the USA a 1–0 lead.
Canada nearly equalised during a 4-on-4 late in the period, but Raphaelle Tousignant’s close-range effort was denied by USA goaltender Gabby Graves-Wake.
USA was ruthless in the second period shifting into high gear. At 18:47, DiClaudio delivered a powerful pass to Catherine Faherty, who fired it into the top right corner to double the lead. Just 17 seconds later, Lera Doederlein set up Jamie Benassi for her second goal of the tournament. DiClaudio then completed her hat-trick in just 40 seconds, scoring the USA’s fourth and fifth goals in rapid succession.
After three shutouts in the tournament, Graves-Wake finally conceded her first goal when Alanna Mah scored during a 5-on-3 power play, with both Doederlein and captain Erica McKeen in the penalty box.
But the USA quickly restored their five-goal cushion through Kaden Herchenroether, before DiClaudio capped off her fairytale performance with the final goal of the tournament, scoring with 1:15 left on the clock.