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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Beau Dure

USA defeat Canada in women’s ice hockey world championship final – as it happened

Canada Beau Amanda Kessel Hockey Olympics The United States United States
United States forward Hilary Knight, center, holds the cup as she celebrates victory with teammates after beating Canada in Sunday’s final.
United States forward Hilary Knight, center, holds the cup as she celebrates victory with teammates after beating Canada in Sunday’s final. Photograph: Nathan Denette/AP

Seems like just a few minutes ago that I was writing the wrapup post in my head. “Good learning experience for this young US team,” I was thinking. “They’ll use this as a stepping stone for a possible world championship or Olympic gold down the line.”

Apparently, that time is now.

The youngsters made plenty of mistakes in this final. But they put Canada under pressure throughout, and Hilary Knight was there to turn the tide late in the game.

Canada’s streak of three straight major championships ends in an instant. And this great rivalry has a new chapter.

Thanks for following along tonight. I hear there are some more hockey games coming up in the next few weeks …

Team USA pose with the trophy.
Team USA pose with the trophy. Photograph: Dan Hamilton/USA Today Sports

Updated

More awards …

Huh.

Most valuable player is ...

Sarah Fillier of Canada?

Yeah, she had seven goals on the tournament, but … not Knight? Or Harvey?

The sequence that turned a 3-3 game, in which you’d still have bet on Canada to win, into a 6-3 US win.

The list ….

FINAL: USA 6, Canada 3

What a stunner. This young US team outscores Canada 4-0 in the third period, with three of those goals coming in a 72-second span starting with 3:10 left.

Of all the world championships the US women have won, this might be the least likely.

GOAL (Barnes)! Canada 3-6 US, 1:56

Cayla Barnes flips the puck toward the net, and it’s going .. going … Claire Thompson is chasing … and it’s over the line.

What has happened here? You wouldn’t have expected this score a few minutes ago, let alone at the beginning of the third period.

Updated

EMPTY NET! Canada 3-5 US, 2:15

Canada calls timeout and then pulls Desbiens.

You’d have to say it wasn’t her best game. Five goals on 21 shots, and she’d probably like another shot at a couple of those.

Updated

And now it’s 101 …

GOAL (Knight)! Canada 3-5 US, 2:43

Passing the torch … sort of. In reverse, essentially.

Caroline Harvey smashes the puck from near the blue line, and Hilary Knight gets her stick up to deflect it into the net.

After some consternation from the Canadian bench but not a full-fledged challenge, the goal stands. That’s a hat trick for Knight.

GOAL (Knight)! Canada 3-4 US, 3:10

Sometimes, great players just know it’s time to make that play. Taylor Heise holds the puck out to one side. Hilary Knight, standing dead center, taps her stick on the ice, looking for the pass. She gets it and rips it. US lead.

1:19 left on the 5-on-4 power play.

Canada 3-3 US, 3:52, 3rd period

Caroline Harvey takes a shot, which is probably the best strategy for the anemic US power play at the moment.

And … Canada repeats the key US mistake of the first period! Claire Thompson flips the puck into the stands, and it’s a delay of game penalty.

That’ll be a 5-on-3 power play for 49 seconds, then the rest of the 5-on-4.

Canada 3-3 US, 5:03, 3rd period

Jenner swipes at the puck and gets Abbey Murphy instead. Barely. If any. But it’s a US power play – not that it’s been strong so far in this game.

Canada has outshot the US 27-18.

Caroline Harvey is just 20 years old, but she has moved into a tie for the scoring lead (under hockey scoring-leader rules – goals and assists count the same) with this shot. That’s her fourth goal to go with nine assists. Only teammate Taylor Heise has more assists than that, with 10.

Updated

Canada 3-3 US, 8:27, 3rd period

The Canadian forecheck pins the US defenders back. That really shouldn’t happen on your own power play. The US has done very little with the player advantage in this final.

Canada 3-3 US, 9:27, 3rd period

A good clearance gives Canada a chance to change, much to the relief of Renata Fast, who had lost her stick.

Canada 3-3 US, 10:27, 3rd period

Rattray whacks the stick out of Knight’s hands, and the US gets a power play.

Canada 3-3 US, 11:05, 3rd period

Frankel with the absolute robbery on Jenner, who was on her doorstep looking for the hat trick. The US goalie is making a difference now.

Updated

Canada 3-3 US, 11:30, 3rd period

Good save from Frankel on Sarah Fillier.

And give credit to the refs for being consistent – there’s no call on a possible penalty near the boards. That would’ve given Canada a 5-on-3. But if they’re not giving it for the Maltais slam in the second period, they’re not giving it there.

And the US gets the penalty kill. Game is nicely poised here.

Updated

Canada 3-3 US, 13:46, 3rd period

And just like that, a completely unnecessary trip by Cayla Barnes, and Canada is back on the power play.

GOAL (Harvey)! Canada 3-3 US, 14:20, 3rd period

Caroline Harvey, the youngest player on the team in the last Olympics, rips one from way outside, and out of nothing, we’re tied.

Updated

Canada 3-2 US, 14:50, 3rd period

The referees have been letting play continue when the puck is stuck along the boards. We’ll see if they feel the same way after one of their number is stuck in the scrum.

CROSSBAR! Canada 3-2 US, 16:24, 3rd period

A resounding “ding” provides some brief relief for the US on a shot by Jamie Lee Rattray. Another 30 seconds, and the US gets a much-needed penalty kill.

Updated

Canada 3-2 US, 18:26, 3rd period

Power play for Canada. A lot of sloppy contact in the middle of the rink, and the refs decide Hayley Scamurra took it too far. Two minutes for tripping.

Canada 3-2 US, 19:00, 3rd period

We’re off, and the Canadians again look like the livelier side.

Canada forward Jamie Lee Rattray (47) celebrates after a goal by forward Brianne Jenner (not shown).
Canada forward Jamie Lee Rattray (47) celebrates after a goal by forward Brianne Jenner (not shown). Photograph: Frank Gunn/AP

End 2nd period: Canada 3-2 US

The score reflects the balance of play pretty well. The US is playing hard. Canada is playing smart.

We’ll see if the US shakes off the non-call on the Emma Maltais hit on Haley Winn. That seemed to sap the underdog’s energy.

Canada 3-2 US, 0:51, 2nd period

That’s twice in a few minutes that the Canadian forecheck has given Lee Stecklein and Savannah Harmon some uncomfortable moments deep in their own zone. That’s disconcerting if you’re looking for the US to slam the door and keep the lead at one.

Canada 3-2 US, 1:55, 2nd period

Sometimes, a hockey team reacts to a big hit on one of its players with a big surge in intensity. That has not happened here. The US has plenty of possession but is playing as if they’ve shifted down a gear or two.

And as I say that, the college line creates a nice chance, with Heise and Janecke combining.

Updated

Canada 3-2 US, 5:09, 2nd period

If you like outstanding defensive plays by attacking players, you’ll love Poulin’s deft move to skate back, catch up with Knight and sneak her stick past to take the puck away.

If you like hard checks … er, “collisions,” as the commentators say … you’ll like what Emma Maltais just did to fellow collegian Haley Winn. That’s a borderline boarding penalty in the NHL, but apparently not here. Hannah Bilka has a few words for the Canadian Buckeye.

Updated

And Jenner’s brace …

followed by …

Catching up on highlights … here’s Knight’s equalizer:

Canada 3-2 US, 7:23, 2nd period

Slightly more than halfway through the game, and this isn’t a surprise – Canadian savvy 3, US speed 2.

Shots are now 18-13 for Canada, though several shots came on the 5-on-3 power play in the first period from which the US is still digging out.

GOAL (Jenner)! Canada 3-2 US, 10:21, 2nd period

Renata Fast slides the puck straight through the middle toward the net, hoping for a redirection. She gets it from Brianna Jenner.

GOAL (Knight)! Canada 2-2 US, 11:30, 2nd period

The US veterans come through. Amanda Kessel races through for a 2-on-1. Canadian defender Ella Shelton sprawls, but Kessel patiently scoots past her and puts a pass right on Hilary Knight’s stick, and the captain forces it past Desbiens from inches away.

Updated

Canada 2-1 US, 12:35, 2nd period

Close-range effort from the US, but the angle isn’t there.

Desbiens is taking some unnecessary chances behind her own net, as if she doesn’t realize how fast these US attackers really are. Put a pin in that.

Updated

Canada 2-1 US, 13:32, 2nd period

Haven’t said much about US goalie Aerin Frankel so far, though she made a tricky save a couple of minutes ago. She comes up big again as Rebecca Johnston is inexplicably left alone just a few feet away from the net.

Updated

GOAL (Jenner)! Canada 2-1 US, 14:57, 2nd period

That penalty kill gave Canada quite a spark, and they rattled off several shots at the other end in the next minute. After some frenetic action in front of the goal, the puck goes back to Brianne Jenner, who has roughly seven players from both teams in a straight line between her and the net. She finds the seam, and Canada retakes the lead.

Canada 1-1 US, 16:00, 2nd period

The experienced Canadians manage to kill large chunks of the power play by pinning the puck along the boards. Taylor Heise has two venomous shots, but Desbiens pushes them away.

Canada 1-1 US, 18:00, 2nd period

Two big US chances early. Hilary Knight ends up with the puck just a few feet away from the net but gets tangled up. Then Hannah Bilka streaks ahead to lead a 2-on-1 that’s well-defended. US has already outshot Canada 3-1 in the period.

And the pressure pays off with a power play. Blayre Turnbull is called for tripping.

Updated

Canada 1-1 US, 19:49, 2nd period

Away we go, and Canada gets the early half-chance.

Canadian soccer great Diana Matheson had a nice view of Poulin’s goal …

Here’s the Murphy goal. Quality.

End 1st period: Canada 1-1 US

Tied up 1-1. Shots even at 6-6.

Give the US a bit of an edge in even-strength play. Hint for the second period: Don’t give up a 5-on-3 power play.

USA forward Hilary Knight (21) battles for the puck with Canada defender Claire Thompson (42) during the first period.
USA forward Hilary Knight (21) battles for the puck with Canada defender Claire Thompson (42) during the first period. Photograph: Frank Gunn/AP

Updated

GOAL (Murphy)! Canada 1-1 US, 1:59, 1st period

The equalizer starts with a strong defensive play by Rory Guilday. Then Alex Carpenter flips it ahead, and Minnesota collegian Abbey Murphy is off to the races. She still has a defender with her, but she cleverly pulls it back and creates space to fire it past Desbiens.

Canada 1-0 US, 3:00, 1st period

For what might be the first time in the game, one team has prolonged possession. It’s the US in the Canadian zone, but they’re unable to convert to find the key pass.

Canada 1-0 US, 4:05, 1st period

Canada’s Claire Thompson has all day to shoot but can’t get it on goal. We’re still stuck at 6-5 on shots, in Canada’s favor.

Canada 1-0 US, 5:40, 1st period

A good spell for the US but not another clear-cut chance to score.

The opening goal …

Canada 1-0 US, 9:06, 1st period

Great chance for the US, but Desbiens keeps it level, even if she has to push her own teammate out of the way to keep the puck away from any US players looking for a rebound.

Canada 1-0 US, 10:00, 1st period

The officials are letting them play, as the saying often goes.

US players who have just been deposited onto their backsides may disagree that they’re getting a chance to play.

But that’s what an experience gap can bring about. Canada may have a much better sense of what will be tolerated in a big final like this in a sport that theoretically doesn’t allow the same type of checking that’s allowed in the men’s game. Theoretically.

Canada 1-0 US, 11:50, 1st period

The good news for the US: Canada wasn’t able to score again on the power play.

Canada has taken a 6-2 edge on shots.

GOAL (Poulin)! Canada 1-0 US, 13:37, 1st period

Eden with a huge mistake, flipping the puck up and over the boards. Delay of game. Another player to the box. 5-on-3 power play.

And before I can pass along that news, Canada works the puck around to, of course, Poulin. 1-0.

Updated

Canada 0-0 US, 14:35, 1st period

Maybe the US is going too fast. They’re lucky not to be punished on a giveaway in their own zone, and then they’re quite obviously offside.

And we have a penalty. Hayley Scamurra goes to the box for hooking, and Canada is on the power play.

POST! Canada 0-0 US, 15:07, 1st period

After a faceoff accompanied by the PA system blaring Mr. Brightside, the Killers’ ode to infidelity, the US controls again. Eden gets another shot and forces Desbiens’ second save. But the puck falls just behind the Canadian goalie and nearly trickles in.

Canada follows up with its first shot.

Canada 0-0 US, 16:47, 1st period

A US turnover, but Canada fails to punish it, drifting offside.

Canada 0-0 US, 18:00 1st period

And another good chance for the US, as Kelly Pannek emerges from a center-ice scrum and bears down on goal. She passes to the collegian Lacey Eden, who fumbles the opportunity.

Updated

Canada 0-0 US, 19:00, 1st period

A blazing start for the US, with Hilary Knight zipping through the Canadian zone for an early shot stopped by the hyperexperienced Ann-Marie Desbiens.

Quick history lesson …

Canada won the first eight world championships: 1990, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2004. The surprise in that run: The US won the inaugural Olympic gold in 1998.

The US took its first world title in 2005. Canada reclaimed the mantle in 2007, following its second straight Olympic gold.

Then followed a decade of US dominance, winning eight of the next nine: 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019. The US also won Olympic gold in 2018, breaking Canada’s streak of four straight.

But Canada has taken the last two world championships and the 2022 Olympic gold.

Puck drop!

Updated

Canada can counter with collegiate stars, though. Princeton’s Sarah Fillier is the leading goal-scorer in the tournament with seven goals in six games. Emma Maltais was on the Ohio State team that lost to Wisconsin in the NCAA final.

But US fans may be more likely to fear Marie-Philip Poulin, who is happier to stick the dagger in the US like Arya Stark facing off with the Night King. She scored the overtime winner in 2021 and netted twice in the 2022 Olympic final, becoming the first hockey player to score in four straight Olympic finals.

Four weeks ago, four US players celebrated a championship. Caroline Harvey, Britta Curl, Lacey Eden and Nicole LaMantia won the NCAA championship with Wisconsin, which tends to win a lot of national championships. (LaMantia is not in uniform tonight.)

Plenty of their national teammates were also chasing a collegiate championship, as were three Canadian players. (For those in Canada, because it came up in one of my last live appearances – “college” means “university.”) The US team has a potent forward line (see lineup below) of Penn State teen phenom Tessa Janecke, Minnesota center (centre) Taylor Heise and Boston College’s Hannah Bilke.

Every player on these two teams played at a US college (university) at some point. Many a US college roster has included players from both sides of the border. But it’s a bit unusual for one team to have so many players who are also in college.

Those who don’t remember the past, we’re told, are condemned to repeat it.

US women’s hockey coach John Wroblewski is banking on the opposite.

After three straight losses to Canada in world championship or Olympic finals, the worst run for the US since Canada’s dominance of the sport’s first 15 years (1998 Olympics notwithstanding), Wroblekski has embarked on a youth movement. Maybe his players don’t remember winning Olympic gold in 2018 or the world championship in 2019, the only world championship final Canada has ever missed, but they also don’t remember losing in the 2021 worlds, the 2022 Olympics or the fall 2022 worlds.

It’s not a total clearout by any means. Eight-time world champion Hilary Knight is still here to captain the US. Fellow 30something Amanda Kessel is also in the attack. Alternate captains Alex Carpenter and Lee Stecklein are no stranger to this stage.

But the goaltender is no longer Maddie Rooney, who played well beyond her 20 years to win gold in 2018, or Alex Cavallini, the 2022 goalie. It’s 23-year-old Aerin Frankel.

The Canadian team, on the other hand, boasts several of the all-time greats. Ann-Renee Desbiens. Marie-Philip Poulin. Jocelyn Larocque.

You’d think Canada would have the edge here. But their matchup earlier in these championships went to a shootout, with Canada scraping by to win. And the young, feisty US absolutely demolished Czechia, which won the bronze medal earlier today, with a 9-1 decision in the semis, as mentioned below.

Beau will be here shortly. In the meantime here’s a look back at the United States’ semi-final win over the Czech Republic.

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