US Women Advance to Gold Medal–

OTTAWA, Ont. – The U.S. Women’s National Team defeated Finland, 3-0, here today to advance to the gold-medal game at the 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship on Tuesday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Hilary Knight (Sun Valley, Idaho), Monique Lamoureux (Grand Forks, N.D.) and Brianna Decker(Dousman, Wis.) scored late in the third period to secure the victory. Jessie Vetter(Cottage Grove, Wis.) stopped all 11 shots she faced for the shutout, her second of the tournament. The United States is now 3-0-1-0 in the tournament.

“It was an exciting game and their goalie played unbelievably well but we found a way to get one past her,” said Katey Stone, head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team. “We got better as the game went on and we’re happy to be where we are heading into the next game.”

The United States outshot Finland, 34-8, through the first two periods, but the game remained scoreless due in part to a stellar performance by Finnish netminder Noora Raty.

Knight opened the scoring by sliding a backhand shot underneath Raty at 13:55 of the third period. The play began as Amanda Kessel (Madison, Wis.) found Gigi Marvin(Warroad, Minn.) cutting to the net. Marvin then dished a return pass to Knight at the near post.

Lamoureux took a feed from Alex Carpenter (North Reading, Mass.) and tucked the puck underneath the goaltender for a power-play goal at 15:32, extending the lead to 2-0. Decker sealed the victory with an empty-net goal at 19:43.

NOTES: Hilary Knight was named U.S. Player of the Game … The U.S. will play for the gold medal at the 15th consecutive IIHF Women’s World Championship … The U.S. was 1-for-7 on the power play, while holding Finland scoreless on four chances …FASTHockey is offering live streaming of all games during the 2013 IIHF Women’s World Championship … Exclusive behind-the-scenes content will be available throughout the tournament at womensworlds.usahockey.com … Conversation will take place on Twitter via @USAHockey and @USAHockeyScores using the hashtag #2013WWC, while content will also be posted to Facebook.com/USAHockey … Members of the U.S. Women’s National Team range in age from 18-31. Lee Stecklein is the youngest player, while Julie Chu is the oldest … Team USA has won four gold medals and 10 silvers in the 14 previous IIHF Women’s World Championships. The U.S. has won four of the last six world championships (2005, 2008, 2009, 2011) … Joining Katey Stone as assistant coaches are Hilary Witt and Bobby Jay … Robb Stauber is serving as the goaltending coach and scout, while Bret Hedican is the video coach.

U.S. Women’s National Team Schedule & Results

2013 IIHF Women’s World Championship • April 2-9 – Ottawa, Ontario
(all times ET and subject to change)