World belongs to Team USA on this Knight

There were no surprises.

There never really is when these countries face each other. Canada and the U.S. have played in the final of every world championship since the tournament began in 1990.

As Canadian head coach Laura Schuler said: “I think they could probably write out our game plan and we could write out their game plan.”

Schuler was right. It came down to the wire, and in front of a sold-out crowd of 3,917 at USA Hockey Arena, the Americans defeated Canada 3-2 in overtime.

The goal, scored with 9:43 remaining in the extra frame on a one-timer from Hilary Knight, capped a back-and-forth game that lived up to the hype.

“We’re both great teams,” said Knight, who also picked up an assist. “You’re going to try and cut the odds and push them in your favour, but at the end of the day we’re great teams and I think you saw a great hockey game.”

This was the seventh time in the last eight finals the U.S. defeated Canada to win the world championship and the fact this was the last meaningful game before PyeongChang, South Korea, was not lost on the players.

“This one hurts,” Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin said. “It’s going to be a tough one to come back from. But more motivation for us.”

That it was Canada versus the U.S. was what everyone expected. Yet their roads to the final could not have been more different.

The U.S. shut out Canada 2-0 in the round robin and steamrolled through the tournament, outscoring opponents 25-3. Canada had a rockier path, also losing to Finland for the first time.

Canada came out attacking early and often Friday, striking out to a 1-0 lead when Meghan Agosta picked the top corner on a two-on-one play 61 seconds after the opening faceoff.

But about three minutes after Canada’s goal, U.S. defenceman Kacey Bellamy tied the game on a heavy point shot that appeared to change direction as it went past goalie Shannon Szabados.

The second period was a mix of cross-checks, close calls and questionable body contact. If playing each other time and again bred familiarity, it also bred contempt.

After a scoreless second period, the U.S. took a 2-1 lead 42 seconds into the third after swarming Canada’s crease. Taking a between-the-legs pass from Knight, Bellamy snuck low and scored her second of the game.

Canada tied it on a one-timer from Brianne Jenner that was initially waved off before it was ruled a goal on video review.

The extra period was madness, as the teams traded chances until Knight notched the winner.

“Saves or not, any time you let in that overtime — losing in overtime’s tough,” said Szabados, who made 37 saves. “We did play better ... we tried to grow as the tournament went on, but not quite good enough today.”

The American forwards were too much for Canada to handle. The question is whether Canada can learn from this when they meet again in the Olympics.

“Definitely wasn’t the outcome we wanted,” Schuler said. “It was one helluva game and it could have gone either way ... but don’t forget about this moment. Let it fuel us.”