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Friday’s games

Relegation round, if nec., noon

Bronze-medal game, 3:30 p.m.

Gold-medal game, 7:30 p.m.

All times Eastern

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Nor do they play like them.

“They seem like veterans already,” the 30-year-old Team Canada goalie said prior to Friday’s tournament opener against the United States. “They’re faster, they’re stronger and they definitely shoot the puck harder. The young players coming up are giving the veterans a run for their money. They’re all playing an important role for us, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them score some big goals or make some big plays.”

Much like Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine and other rookies who stepped into the NHL and immediately made a significant impact this season, the next wave of female hockey players — including Stacey (Kleinburg, Ont.), Sarah Potomak (Aldergrove, B.C.), Erin Ambrose (Keswick, Ont.) and Renata Fast (Burlington, Ont.) — are hoping to do the same in this week’s tournament.

Actually, hope is not the right word. With the team looking ahead to next year’s Olympics, Canada understands that the younger players will have to step up and carry the torch following Hayley Wickenheiser’s retirement this year.

“They all bring something incredible,” Canada head coach Laura Schuler said. “Laura Stacey’s a big, powerful, strong forward that can score goals for us. Sarah Potomak is one of the leaders in the NCAA in terms of putting the puck in the net. Renata Fast has so much speed to her game and is something that’s going to help us on our blue line to have that added speed there. She’s a player where, even if she gets caught, she’s so fast that she can get back. And Erin Ambrose’s vision is outstanding — just outstanding — where she continues to put points up on the scoreboard for us.”