Wheeler’s overtime goal helps Canada win 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. Danielle Serdachny gave Canada an early 1-0 lead, picking up the rebound of an Alexie Guay shot from the point. Julia Gosling also earned an assist on the goal. The U.S. 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 2-2 with less than nine minutes remaining after being set up by Gosling and Serdachny. Goaltender Raygan Kirk finished with 25 saves in the win and earned the tournament’s most valuable player honours.