Saturday afternoon’s championship match at TD Place Arena came down to the final seconds. Trailing late in the fourth quarter, Canada’s Kady Dandeneau sank a clutch basket to tie the game at 76-76. However, American player Courtney Ryan converted a decisive free throw in the dying moments to edge ahead. The Canadian squad was unable to convert their final offensive possession, sealing the one-point victory for the United States.
Early Canadian Momentum and Hard-Fought Turnarounds
Canada opened the game with aggressive pace, grabbing a quick 9-2 lead within the first two minutes of play. By the end of the first quarter, the Canadian side held a 27-20 advantage.
The momentum shifted early in the third quarter when the U.S. took its first lead of the match. Both teams traded leads through a physical third and early fourth quarter until the American squad stretched its advantage to six points midway through the final frame. Dandeneau spearheaded Canada’s late response, finishing as the team’s top scorer with 34 points—four more than teammate Arinn Young from Alberta.
Élodie Tessier contributed 6 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds for Canada, while veteran Cindy Ouellet played just over two minutes during the second quarter. Despite the emotional sting of a narrow defeat, Ouellet emphasized the broader trajectory of the program.
“We proved to everyone that we were capable of surprising people, and I think we want even more now. It sucks, but that’s basketball, there’s a winning team and a losing team.”
Building Toward the Los Angeles Paralympics
Both finalists view the world championship silver medal as an important stepping stone toward the Los Angeles Paralympic cycles. Tessier noted the value of the tournament experience for the younger members of the national roster.
“It’s only the beginning, I’m proud of this team. I’ve been playing with the national team since 2017 and this is my first medal, so it’s definitely a source of pride despite everything.”
The tournament also carried significant implications for future qualifying paths. The high-stakes clash in Ottawa serves as preparation for the Parapan American Games scheduled for August 2027 in Lima, Peru, where two direct qualification spots for the Los Angeles Paralympics will be on the line.
Third-Place Finish and Local Atmosphere
Earlier on Saturday, the Netherlands captured the bronze medal by defeating Great Britain 63-50, rounding out the tournament podium.
Throughout the final, the home crowd at TD Place Arena provided a constant source of energy, cheering well past the final buzzer. Ouellet credited the partisan support with keeping the team energized during difficult stretches of the match.
“The fans made the difference during the game, they never stopped encouraging us and it really motivated us when we had our little lows,” Ouellet noted, via RDS.
