(Utica) Jocelyne Larocque scored a goal and an assist to lead Canada to a 4-0 victory over the Czech Republic in the semi-final of the Women’s World Hockey Championship on Saturday.
In the final on Sunday, the Canadians will face the Americans, who defeated Finland 5-0 earlier in the day
The two countries will compete for the gold medal for the 22e times in 23 championship finals. The United States beat Canada 6-3 in the final match last year in Brampton, Ontario.
Larocque, who is 35 years old, scored her second goal in 10 games at this tournament.
Emily Clark, Blayre Turnbull and Sarah Fillier also scored for Canada. Laura Stacey had two assists and Quebecer Ann-Renée Desbiens posted a nine-save shutout.
For her part, Czech goalkeeper Klara Peslarova stopped 43 pucks.
The Czech Republic, led by Canadian Carla MacLeod, will try to win a third consecutive bronze medal on Sunday against Finland.
The Canadians beat the Czechs 5-0 in the group stage. On Saturday, Canada led 3-0 and 27-6 in shots after 40 minutes of play.
Clark scored her first goal of the tournament 1:39 into the game. She fired a shot from behind the net at the goalie to score.
Clark and Larocque became the 13e and 14e players to score for Canada in the tournament this year.
The Canadians did not score on two power plays in the match, having only taken advantage of one situation out of 16 so far with an extra player.