The Canadian Press
Donna Spencer
KAMLOOPS, B.C.—Canada and the U.S. extended their streak of clashing for gold at the women’s world hockey championship.
The international women’s hockey archrivals square off in tonight’s final for the 17th time in as many tournaments.
Canada worked harder to get to this year’s final and has less recovery time after a 5-3 semi-final win last night over tenacious Finland.
The Americans, meanwhile, barely broke a sweat in a 9-0 romp over Russia in the afternoon semi-final.
“It certainly plays into our hands that we have an extra few hours to get treatment and cold tub, cool down and all that stuff, and be fresh for tomorrow,” noted U.S. captain Meghan Duggan.
The U.S. is chasing a third-straight world title after wins in Ottawa in 2013 and then Malmo, Sweden last year.
Canada won the first eight world championship starting in 1990 but the Americans have dominated lately—winning six of the last eight.
Women’s championships aren’t held in the same year as a Winter Olympics.
The Canadians edged the U.S. 3-2 in overtime to defend their Olympic title back in 2014.
Their most recent gold medal at the world championship was in 2012, when they got by the host country 5-4 in overtime in Burlington, Vt.
“We know what U.S.A. is going to throw at us,” said Canadian forward Megan Agosta.
“We’re willing to do whatever it takes and we’re ready,” she stressed.
“It’s our time.”
Canadian head coach Laura Schuler sees a tough semi-final as a benefit heading into the gold-medal game.
“I would rather be battle-tested than not heading into [Monday’s] game,” she reasoned.
The U.S. went 3-0 in the preliminary round ahead of Canada at 2-1.
The Canadians fell 3-1 to the defending champs to start the tournament despite a 36-save performance by Emerance Maschmeyer.
Toronto’s Natalie Spooner led the host country with a hat trick and an assist yesterday in front of 4,007 at the Sandman Centre.
Her short-handed breakaway goal early in the third stood up as the game-winner.
She and Blayre Turnbull of Stellarton, N.S. both added empty-net goals against Finland.
Agosta, of Ruthven, Ont., scored her first of the tournament while Charline Labonte of Boisbriand, Que. stopped 16 shots for her second win.
Saana Valkama, Michelle Karvinen, and Saila Saari countered for Finland.
Meeri Raisanen stopped 34-of-37 shots for the Finns, who face an even quicker turnaround for this afternoon’s bronze-medal game against Russia.
Finland lost 6-1 to Canada to conclude the preliminary round, but were a determined team playing for an upset yesterday.
Down 3-1, coach Pasi Mustonen started pulling Raisanen for an extra attacker at 11:22 of the third period when Canada was at even strength, and then on two subsequent power plays later in the period.
The strategy worked on their first man-advantage with Karvinen’s goal, but backfired on the second try with Turnbull and Spooner both scoring into an empty net.
Saari struck even strength with 33 seconds left to cap the scoring.
“I don’t see it as a gamble,” Mustonen said.
“To win something great, you have to have the courage to put in everything, all in,” he reasoned.
“We were close to succeeding.”
