(Utica) Kendall Coyne Schofield scored two goals in the United States’ 5-3 victory over Finland on Saturday at the women’s world hockey championship.
The Americans, defending champions, are 3-0 and sit atop Group A with nine points.
Abbey Murphy, Hilary Knight and Taylor Heise each hit the target and collected an assist. Aerin Frankel blocked nine shots in the victory.
Canada (2-0-0) will be the United States’ next opponent on Monday. The Canadian team is second in Group A, with six points.
Elisa Holopainen scored twice and Sofianna Sundelin also found the back of the net for Finland, who are winless in three games at the tournament. Anni Keisala made 40 saves.
Tied 2-2 to start the second period, Heise and Coyne Schofield scored at 7:42 and 11:40 of the second period to give the Americans a two-goal lead.
Coyne Schofield scored his second goal of the game 15 seconds into the third period to confirm the victory for the United States.
Earlier on Saturday, Germany beat Japan 4-1.
PHOTO FROM THE IIHF X ACCOUNT
Germany beat Japan 4-1
Jule Schiefer, Bernadette Karpf, Luisa Welcke and Nicola Eisenschmid scored the goals for the Germans, who recorded a second victory in as many matches. Sandra Abstreiter made 30 saves.
Akane Shiga fought back for Japan, whose record is 1-1. Riko Kawaguchi stopped 25 shots.
Schiefer gave his team a 1-0 lead with a backhand at 15:45 in the second period.
Karpf made it 2-0 at 18:23 in the same period by deflecting a shot from Carina Strobel on the power play.
Welcke scored with 1:46 left in the game.
Shiga then converted a rebound, but Eisenschmid put the finishing touches 29 seconds after that goal.
The Americans, reigning champions, face the Finns on Saturday evening.