ZURICH – The United States has won its third straight women's world hockey championship, beating Canada 3-2 in overtime.
Hilary Knight scored the winner 7:48 into the extra period Monday for her fifth goal of the tournament, giving the U.S. its fourth world title in the last five events.
Defending Olympic champion Canada, which lost for just the fourth time in the last 13 meetings, forced overtime on Rebecca Johnston's power play-goal with less than 4 minutes left in the third period.
The U.S. opened the scoring at 16:56 of the first period on a goal by Jocelyne Lamoureux with twin sister Monique assisting. Gillian Apps' slap shot evened the score with 8 seconds left in the period.
U.S. captain Jenny Potter made it 2-1 with a backhander at 12:05 of the second.
Canada had a strong attack in the third period, getting 23 shots on goal — including the tying score from Johnston.
U.S. goalie Jessie Vetter finished with 50 saves. Canada's Shannon Szabados had 47.
Earlier, Finland won the bronze medal by beating Russia 3-2 in overtime for its third straight third-place finish at the worlds. Finland also won bronze at the Olympics last year.
Finland captain Karoliina Rantamaki scored the decisive goal after Minnamari Tuominen, a student at Ohio State, scored twice in regulation. Goalie Noora Raty made 35 saves.
The U.S. is scheduled to defend its title on home ice when the 2012 championship is staged in Burlington, Vt.
The U.S. and Canada have met in every worlds final since the tournament debuted in 1990.
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