U.S. advances to gold-medal game in women's world hockey

SPORTS

U.S. advances to gold-medal game in women's world hockey

Donna Spencer The Canadian Press
Published Sunday, April 3, 2016 9:40PM EDT

U.S. plays Russia in women's hockey championships

The United States' Brianna Decker (14) is stopped by Russia's goalie Anna Prugova during first period semifinal action at the women's world hockey championships in Kamloops, B.C., on Sunday, April 3, 2016. (Ryan Remiorz / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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KAMLOOPS, B.C. -- The United States is a win away from extending their golden streak at the women's world hockey championship.

The defending champions advanced to Monday's final in Kamloops, B.C., with a 9-0 semifinal win over Russia on Sunday.

Their opponent for the gold medal will be the victor of Sunday's later semifinal between host Canada and Finland, while the Russians take on the loser for bronze Monday.

The U.S. will have played in the final of all 17 world championships having faced Canada in the previous 16.

The Americans are looking for their third world title in a row after wins in Ottawa in 2013 and Malmo, Sweden, in 2015, as well as their sixth championship in the last seven tournaments.

"You put yourself in the gold-medal game and then you try to play your best game," head coach Ken Klee said. "We've achieved the first part of that so now we've just got to look to do the second."

Women's world championships aren't held in years when there is a Winter Olympics. This year's U.S. roster includes a dozen players who won gold in Ottawa.

Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson, Kelli Stack and Hilary Knight led the Americans with two goals apiece Sunday. Megan Bozek, Meghan Duggan and Brianna Decker also scored.

"Any time you can get a big win in the semifinals, it gives you a lot of energy and fire going into the final," U.S. captain Duggan said.

"I thought we moved the puck well, but all the lines were going on all cylinders, finding seams and making plays. It gives us confidence going into tomorrow's game."

Monique Lamoureux assisted on three goals. Alex Rigsby posted a 17-save shutout in front of 2,297 at the Sandman Centre. Klee did not reveal his starting goaltender for the final.

Russian starter Anna Prugova was pulled after allowing four goals on 14 shots in the first period for Nadezhda Morozova, who turned away 21-of-26 shots.

The U.S. went 3-0 and Russia 0-3 in the preliminary round. Russia downed Sweden 4-1 in a quarter-final.

Switzerland downed Japan 4-0 to take the best-of-three relegation series 2-0. The Swiss will play in next year's world championship in Plymouth, Mich., while Japan was relegated to the 'B' championship. Germany earned promotion to Plymouth.