CANADA 3 (2)
Danielle Hennig 17 (FG)
Thea Culley 19 (FG)
Stephanie Gardiner 28 (FG)
MALAYSIA 1 (0)
Norazlin Sumantri 26 (PC)
ThE Canadians are fast learners and well organised – and that’s just the way they run onto the pitch.
A bit like boxers entering the ring, players at the International Super Series Hockey 9s sprint onto the field through dry ice with the music pumping and the Canadians have been especially imaginative, treating spectators to the worm, the twerk and all points of naughtiness in between.
If they can match the teamwork and co-ordination they showed in those opening moves, they might just spring a surprise in the Pan-Ams, which they are hosting, or Commonwealth Games, in Glasgow, next year. If not, then at least Dancing with the Stars awaits.
They were too good for Malaysia in Saturday’s bronze medal match, dominating from the start but taking 17 minutes to get on the scoresheet when Danielle Hennig smacked the ball home from the middle of the D.
The second was not long in coming and was a reverse stick sweep from Thea Culley. Now it’s just their goal celebrations which need work.
After the break, the Malaysians found a way through, Norazlin Sumantri finishing off a penalty corner move with a neat tomahawk, but their defence was soon split again and Stephanie Gardiner restored Canada’s two-goal lead, firing home from just beyond the penalty spot.
The Malaysians had a one-on-one penalty chance with five minutes to go but the pressure proved too much for Norazlin whose shot bobbled wide.
“It’s a new format but we’re a pretty young team so we’re working on the same core things whether it’s 9s or for the 11-a-side game. We are happy with the way we’ve progressed,” said Canadian captain Hennig.
Source: http://hockey9s.hockey.org.au/News/ArtMID/2580/ArticleID/23825/Canada-swoop-to-take-bronze-medal
