Knight scores hat-trick as US stuns Canada to take gold

Last updated on: 17 April,2023 09:41 am

Cayla Barnes scored into an empty net to close out the scoring while Abbey Murphy also had a goal.

BRAMPTON, Ontario (Reuters) - Hilary Knight scored third-period power play goals 27 seconds apart as the United States stunned archrivals Canada 6-3 on Sunday to win the gold medal final of the women's world ice hockey championships.

Canada had led 3-2 heading into the third period and were on course for a third successive world title but threw it away with sloppy play, taking two late penalties to gift the U.S. a two-player advantage with 3:52 left. Knight made them pay dearly for their mistakes.

After Caroline Harvey had pulled the U.S. level at 3-3 early in the third, captain Knight scored twice to complete her hat-trick having also netted in the second period.

Cayla Barnes scored into an empty net to close out the scoring while Abbey Murphy also had a goal.

Canada's Brianne Jenner scored a pair of second-period goals and set up another but it was her tripping penalty, along with Claire Thompson's delay of game, that provided the U.S. with their golden opportunity.