Thanks to Hockey Canada for the assignment last night as I got to announce a 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship Pre-Competition Game last night at the Scotiabank Centre between Team Canada and Team Finland.
The tournament kicks off this weekend in Sydney and Membertou running January 10th to 18th.
Good luck to Team Canada, including Bluenosers # 18 Kendall Doiron from Boylston and # 27 Jaylee MacKinnon of Clark’s Harbour, Nova Scotia.
Some of the Finland names were tongue twisters:
A shout-out to local officials Shauna Neary of Antigonish and Sophie Thomson from Here in Halifax who worked the game with me.
Shauna is off to officiate at the Olympics in Italy next month, she will leave February 1st and is trying to adjust her sleeping pattern for Italy. Shauna and Sophie work the AUS and MHL leagues with my son, Drake. Good luck my friend, proud of you!
Above: Shauna Neary and Ian.
Above: Team Finland.
See the action on TSN with Kenzie Lalonde and Cheryl Pounder in Cape Breton for the games, I’ve told them about Napoli Pizza and Kay’s Kozy Korner in Sydney, my old stomping grounds.
Kenzie texted me to say Eastlink’s Mav’s Gillis’ mom will have some cookies waiting for them.
Above: Kenzie and Cheryl with Ian at the December 17, 2025 PWHL Halifax game.
Team Canada blanked Finland 11-0 with Haley McDonald netting a hat-trick.
Full 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship details HERE.
Go Canada GOLD!
-Ian
(Credits: Ian Robinson photos.)
