Canada captures women’s U18 title

OBIHIRO, Japan — Maddi Wheeler scored in overtime as Canada defeated the United States 3-2 on Sunday to win its fifth under-18 women’s world hockey championship.

Wheeler, from Erinsville, Ont., drove hard to the net and jammed home her own rebound just 1:34 into overtime, giving Canada its first world title since 2014.

“I picked the puck up in the neutral zone, (Kendall Cooper) passed it off to me. We were on a 4-on-3 power play so I had some space,” said Wheeler. “I drove wide and picked up my own rebound. We had a good net drive, so it was wide open.”

Danielle Serdachny gave Canada an early 1-0 lead. The United States tied the game late in the second period before taking a 2-1 lead just over six minutes into the third. Anne Cherkowski tied the game 22 with less than nine minutes remaining.

The Associated Press Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard goes to the basket against Washington Wizards’ Jeff Green, Tomas Satoransky, and Trevor Ariza Sunday in Washington. Raptors won 140-138 in overtime.