Cloverdale's Jennifer Gardner got off to a quick start at the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Hockey Championships.
Gardner racked up three points (2 goals, 1 assist) as Canada dumped Finland 5-0 at Budvar Arena in Ceske Budejovice, Czechia, to open the tournament.
The game, played April 9, was Gardiner's world championship debut for Team Canada.
"It’s a pretty incredible feeling getting my first puck from my teammates, who were so supportive all night and have created such a great environment to be part of," Gardiner said after the game. "Being in this room wouldn’t be possible without them and being part of Team Canada is incredible with the staff—I’m so thankful."
She said it was an honour to score for Canada and she hopes to contribute in the same way all tournament.
"One thing I like about Gardiner is that she’s not on the typical trajectory," noted Troy Ryan, Team Canada head coach. "She perhaps struggled to make our under-18 teams, but she just kept getting better through college."
Ryan said Gardiner benefited from playing on a line with Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey in her pro hockey rookie year in the PWHL. He said Gardiner was able to generate some "chemistry" with the pair in the pro ranks, so he thought it best to keep them together to open the schedule and "see what happens" as the tournament progresses.
“We threw a lot at them over the last couple of days and to be honest, what surprised me a little bit was the adjustments we made, we did really well at those," Ryan added. "What I’ve grown accustomed to expecting out of our group—some of (those details) weren’t necessarily there as much as it has been, but we’ll be better moving forward.”
On April 11, Canada downed Switzerland 4-0 in their second preliminary round game of the tournament. Poulin had three assists in the effort while Ann-Renée Desbiens posted a 17-save shutout.
In their third game, Team Canada lost to Team USA 2-1. Stacey notched the only goal for Canada with Poulin and Gardiner assisting.
In their last game of the preliminary round, Canada sailed past Czechia 7-1, with Gardiner adding another goal.
Canada is set to play in the quarterfinals April 17 (after we went to press).
To follow Gardiner and Team Canada at the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Hockey Championships, visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow them on social: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.
