USA to Play Russia, Canada Faces Finland in Women’s World Championship Semi-Finals

Team USA will face Russia and Team Canada will square off against Finland in the semi-final round of of the IIHF Women’s World Championships tomorrow. Winners will face each other in the championship game on Saturday, April 4. The game will be broadcast on Universal Sports at 10 a.m. Eastern.

Team USA beat Russia in round-robin play, 9-2, and Canada beat Finland 6-2 in their round-robin game.

However it’s Team USA that is the perfect team so far in the tournament, going 3-0 with 17 goals for and 5 goals against. Team USA’s Hilary Knight is second in tournament scoring with five goals and two assists. She trails Anna Borgqvist of Finland in tournament scoring; she has five goals and three assists.

While America’s blowout 9-2 win against Russia in the round-robin is encouraging for the USA National Team, Russia mustered two goals on five shots in that in game, beating USA netminder Molly Shaus.  Jocelyne Lamoureux registered a hat trick in the game.

Canada’s round-robin game against the Finns was a little closer of a match, with shots 29-17 in favor of Canada. Canada’s Natalie Spooner notched a goal and an assist in the game, as did Jennifer Wakefield. Finland beat Canada’s goaltender Genevieve Lacasse twice, first in the first period on the power play, and second in the third period on a slap shot off a rush that slipped past her.

Canada’s only loss in round-robin play came against the United States. The US won 4-2, and out-shot Canada 34-11. Three of four USA goals came on the power play.

The U.S. faces Russia tomorrow at 12 p.m.; Canada’s game time against Finland is set for 4 p.m.

Winners of each semi-final game will face each other in the gold medal game on April 4; losers will play in a bronze medal game.

For live score updates, follow @USAHockeyScores on Twitter.