Sarah Fillier scored a hat trick as Canada qualified for the gold medal game by defeating Switzerland 5-1 at the World Women’s Hockey Championship on Saturday in Brampton, Ont.
Jamie Lee Rattray and Rebecca Johnston scored the other goals for the Canadians, champions of the last two editions of the tournament. Ann-Renée Desbiens earned the win in net with eight saves.
Canada now has a record of 19-0 and 12-0 against Switzerland on the international stage. The Canadians outscored Switzerland 151-8 in goals in those encounters, including 4-0 in the championship opener. Andrea Braendli had to defeat her in front of the Swiss goal, she who repelled 54 of 59 shots aimed at her.
Switzerland will face the Czech Republic on Sunday in the bronze medal game.
Fillier scored Canada’s first goal 11:06 into the second period. Following a pass from Nurse, she advanced towards the paying zone and fired a good shot from the piogners
Rattray scored on the power play to make it 3-0 in the first half of the third period.
Fillier then completed his hat trick with 4:56 left in the game, receiving a standing ovation from the fans.
Against the Americans
Earlier in the afternoon, the United States scored five goals in the second period and easily beat Czechia 9-1.
The United States earned their ticket to the World Championship final for the 22nd time in a row.
The United States led 1-0 after 20 minutes when Hilary Knight started backfiring in the second period with two goals scored within one minute 35 seconds early in the period.
Abbey Murphy, Abby Roque and Amanda Kessel scored the other goals for USA in the second period, which the Americans outshot 20-2.
Kessel’s goal was her second of the match, having opened the scoring halfway through the opening period.
Tessa Janecke, with a double, and Caroline Harvey made the ropes vibrate in the third period.
Harvey, who plays defense, led the American offense with a goal and three assists. Knight (2-1), Kessel (2-1), Cayla Barnes (0-3) and Taylor Heise (0-3) had three points each.
Adela Sapovalivova, midway through the second period, scored the only goal for the Czech Republic who will play for the bronze medal tomorrow afternoon.
The Americans fired 45 shots at Blanka Skodova and Katerina Zechovska. Skodova played for just over 28 minutes and allowed four goals on 19 shots. Zechovska faced 26 shots the rest of the game.
On the other end, Aerin Frankel only faced 15 shots.
Canada and the United States will battle it out for top honors on Sunday.