(Herning) Brianne Jenner scored twice in the second period as Canada captured gold at the World Women’s Hockey Championship on Sunday, beating the United States 2-1.
Posted at 4:08 p.m.
Updated at 4:16 p.m.
Jenner scored first at 9:31 with a wrist shot from the bottom of the right circle. She had come close to the goal after taking a pass from Marie-Philip Poulin, against the boards.
The 31-year-old Ontarian reissued at 10:55 during a penalty to Hannah Brandt, who had given tape.
Just before that second goal, Sarah Nurse worked well behind the net before damaging goaltender Nicole Hensley’s vision on Jenner’s high shot.
The Americans finished the middle period with superiority (Jenner, obstruction). Abby Roque took the opportunity to close the gap with 20.8 seconds on the clock, hitting the mark from the left mouth, after a pass from Amanda Kessel.
Roque scored on the power play for the fourth time in the tournament.
PHOTO BO AMSTRUP, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Canadian Jessie Eldridge and United States keeper Nicole Hensley
Canada successfully cleared a penalty kill midway through the third period.
American Savannah Harmon was penalized a few seconds later, but the maple leaf failed to improve her priority.
With 35 seconds to go, Kendall Coyne Schofield was frustrated twice in quick succession by Ann-Renée Desbiens, near the net.
The Americans had pulled Hensley in favor of an extra forward for over two minutes.
Desbiens made 20 saves, Hensley 17.
The United States have triumphed five times in a row at the world championship before a Canadian triumph last year in Calgary (a 3-2 victory in overtime). The Canadians also defeated the Americans 3-2 in the final of the Beijing Olympics in February.
The world championship will be held in Canada next year and in the United States in 2024.
Earlier on Sunday, the Czech Republic claimed bronze with a 4-2 win over Switzerland.
The Czechs, led by Alberta’s Carla MacLeod, a former defenseman with the Canadian team, had reached the tournament’s semi-finals for the first time in their history.
Natalie Mlynkova led the Czech attack with two goals. Daniela Pejsova and Offrela Prybylova scored the other goals.
Klara Peslarova blocked 18 pucks and added an assist on Prybylova’s goal.
Alina Marti and Nicole Vallario replied for Switzerland, while Andrea Braendli made 23 saves.
Japan defeated Finland 1-0 in a penalty shootout to secure fifth place and a return to Group A for the next edition of the tournament.