USA Downs Canada in Overtime for World Championship
USA defeats Canada 3-2 in overtime for the 2017 World Championship
Plymouth, MI - The U.S. hockey team stormed the ice and celebrated, capping an emotionally taxing two-week stretch with a thrilling, 3-2, overtime victory over rival Canada in the World Championship final Friday night.
Hilary Knight scored midway into the extra period to give the Americans a world championship for the fourth consecutive title and eighth in the past 10 attempts.
"I'm so proud of this team for performing the way we did after battling the way we did off the ice," said Meghan Duggan, "A lot of history was made."
Nicole Hensley stopped 28 shots for the U.S. and was able to shut down the high-powered Canadian offense. While Canada's goaltender, Shannon Szabados, was forced to make 37 saves on 40 shots.
Just a few weeks before, U.S players said they would boycott the tournament if they didn't get more money and perks that their male counterparts were receiving, such as equal per diem and equity treatment.
The landmark deal allows them to make more than $70,000 during non-Olympic years and as much as $129,000 in Olympic years, including 2018, when combined with contributions from the United States Olympic Committee.
"We knew that was going to be a bond that was unbreakable," Knight said.
Canada struggled to start the tournament, losing their first two games before rallying to face off against the U.S. The Canadians opened with a 2-0 loss to the U.S. and a 4-3 setback against Finland before bouncing routing Russia 8-0 and a 4-0 win over the Finland in the semifinals.
