Canada beats U.S. 5-3 in Windsor exhibition match

Canada defeated the United States 5-3 in an exhibition hockey match at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Wednesday night. The game served as a warm-up for both national teams ahead of the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship scheduled for Denmark.

Canada established a 2-0 lead early in the contest. The U.S. team mounted a comeback effort, but Canada maintained control to secure the final victory. The matchup drew a crowd of local supporters who had the opportunity to watch the two rival teams play in their region.

Alanna Montague, a fan who has previously crossed the border to attend games, attended the event in Windsor. She described the rivalry as intense, noting the passion and toughness displayed by both squads on the ice.

The arena filled with young players and teams who watched the professionals they admire. Star players such as Canada’s Sarah Fillier and the U.S.’s Hilary Knight entered the ice as fans waved flags and held signs. For Tenley and Tessa Thomson, the game served as an inspiration to continue their development as hockey players. Tessa stated that playing at the same level as the professionals would be her dream.

Stephanie Wilson, a resident of Maidstone, attended the game as a full circle moment. She participated in the 1997 women’s championships in Kitchener when she was 11 years old. Wilson carried a T-shirt signed by members of that 1997 Canadian team. She described the increased visibility of the sport as a confidence booster for young women, contrasting it with her past experience of changing in the trophy room because few other girls were playing.

The U.S. and Canada will begin their World Championship campaigns on Nov. 6. The U.S. will face Switzerland, while Canada will play Sweden. Local fans in Windsor-Essex will have another opportunity to see top athletes play nearby when PWHL Detroit, a new expansion team, begins its inaugural season on Dec. 6.