Hockey

Canada's women's hockey team lost its first game versus Midget AAA competition on Thursday, falling 4-3 to the Lethbridge Titans.

Jayna Hefford(Kingston, Ont.) scored with 1:13 left in the game to pull Canada within a goal, but it wasn't enough for a win in Lethbridge, Alta.

Following a scoreless first period, there was a flurry of goals in the second. Caroline Ouellette (Montreal, Que.) netted a one-timer off a pass from Hefford on the power play at 9:23.

Lethbridge came right back with two goals in just over five minutes to take a 2-1 lead. But, just before the end of the period, Cherie Piper (Scarborough, Ont.) set up Jennifer Botterill (Winnipeg, Man.), who buried another one-timer.

Shannon Szabados (Edmonton, Alta.) and Charline Labonté (Boisbriand, Que.) split time in Canada's net. The Titans outshot the Canadian women 37-24.

Canada will be off this weekend before returning to game action on Tuesday when they take on the Calgary Buffaloes as part of their continuing training for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. The game marks the start of the National Women's Team Alberta Lottery Series in Calgary.