Anni Keisala – CanucksBanter

1. Anni Keisala, G (FIN): Without the stability of Keisala, Finland’s fate against the USA would have been much worse. Keisala played calm, staying square and challenging shooters while weathering the American onslaught. In total, she faced 72 shots against a relentless American attack. Despite the game eventually getting out of hand, Keisala remained composed sending rebounds out of harm’s way, and giving Finland a fighting chance to stay in the game.

2. Sarah Fillier, C (CAN): If there is a player in this tournament with the potential to lift you out of your seat on any given shift, it’s Fillier. On her first goal, Fillier momentarily considered trying “the Michigan” before circling the zone and scoring off a redirect. Her second goal of the game was a corralled turnover where she walked low and went shortside. At the last World Championship, we talked about the coming of Fillier’s stardom, but at this tournament, she has arrived.

3. Amanda Kessel, RW (USA): Her line of Taylor Heise and Alex Carpenter were everywhere in game two, but it was Kessel’s finishing touch, and on-ice vision that kept the attack moving. Kessel found open space on each of her goals, connecting on a second-period power-play goal and a third-period even-strength marker. She also assisted on Jincy Dunne’s first-period goal. From wire to wire, when the USA was threatening, Kessel was in the mix.

Source: thehockeynews.com

1. Taylor Heise, F (USA) – Heise immediately made herself known with the USA’s senior national team, helping set up five goals. She controlled the puck, showed patience, and effectively dished as her teammates entered open ice. An impressive debut for the 22-year-old. The tournament MVP at the U-18 World Championship in 2018, Heise is already showing her game can transfer to the next level.

2. Marie-Philip Poulin, F (CAN) – Canada’s top player against Finland, Poulin showed the trademark attributes that make her the best in the game. On the power play, she fed a shot-pass directly to Sarah Nurse’s tape for a tip to open the scoring, and then tallied the game-winning goal herself later in the first. Throughout the game, her patience in zone entries and ability to vary her own attack created chances. She still looks like she’s playing at a level above the competition.

3. Anni Keisala, G (FIN) – Facing 43 shots, things could have been much worse for the Finns against Canada without Keisela stepping into the net. Many questioned the Finnish direction when she replaced Noora Raty before the 2021 World Championship. Keisala answered by being named the tournament’s best goaltender and has continued her stellar play. She stopped several point blank chances by the Canadians, and slowed the pace for Finland when they repeatedly found themselves pinned in their own end. Despite the loss, Keisala is off to an excellent start.