LINKOPING, Sweden, April 9 -- The United States beat Canada, 3-1, in a penalty shootout to win the Women's World Hockey Championship on Saturday, ending the defending champion's run of eight straight titles.
Natalie Darwitz, Angela Ruggiero and Krissy Wendell scored for the Americans after regulation and a 20-minute overtime ended in a 0-0 tie. Sarah Vaillancourt scored Canada's goal in the shootout, the first in championship history.
|
_____ 2004 Summer Olympics _____
• Look back at the Athens Games, highlighted by Michael Phelps's eight medals and marked by unfounded worries over terrorism.
• Photos
| | |
|
"It was amazing out there, both teams battled so hard and both goalies obviously played outstanding," said Ruggiero, a two-time Olympian who also played against men in the Central Hockey League in January.
"To finally win a world championship . . . it took our program 15 years. But the longer the wait the sweeter the taste. We came so close so many times, to finally pull it off in a dramatic fashion like this feels unbelievable."
Earlier, Sweden won the bronze medal behind Maria Rooth's two goals in a 5-2 victory over Finland.
The United States finally won the title after losing all eight previous championship games to Canada. The Americans outshot their opponents in every period, hit the post once in the third period and nearly scored late in overtime when Cammi Granato's shot came within inches from the goal line.
Kelly Stephens had the best scoring chance in regulation, hitting the right post from close range after taking a pass from Wendell in the final period.
Granato had two scoring chances in the first period, the best one a wrister after skating in front of the net during a power play.
The Americans kept the shots coming in the second period, outshooting Canada, 11-6. Wendell nearly scored on a breakaway with seconds left in a Canadian power play halfway through the period.
