Hilary Knight and Alex Carpenter scored in the shootout to help the Americans win the first game of the “Rivalry Series” against the Canadians 4-3 on Tuesday in Kelowna.
Marie-Philip Poulin had a golden opportunity to give the Maple Leafs the victory in overtime when she got a penalty shot, but the Beauceronne was frustrated by goaltender Nicole Hensley. It repelled 33 shots.
Poulin had scored the 2-2 equalizer late in the second period and Emily Clark gave Canada the lead early in the third.
A power-play goal from Alex Carpenter, set up by Knight, created the deadlock with one minute left in regulation.
The series resumes Thursday night in Kamloops.