Hilary Knight scored a hat trick to lift Team USA to a gold medal at the IIHF women's World Championships.
Hilary Knight scored a hat trick to lift Team USA to a gold medal at the IIHF women's World Championships.
BRAMPTON, Ontario -- USA pulled off a third period comeback on the heels of captain Hilary Knight's hat trick to capture gold at the 2023 IIHF women's World Championships taking a 6-3 win.
After exchanging chances early, Canada found themselves on a five-on-three powerplay. Canada capitalized on the opportunity as Marie-Philip Poulin opened the scoring taking a pass from Erin Ambrose in the right circle, one timing a shot beating USA netminder Aerin Frankel.
With less than two minutes remaining in the first period, however, USA would respond as Abbey Murphy dragged around a sprawling Canadian defender and beat Ann-Renee Desbiens glove side.
After a first period that saw Team USA carry the five-on-five play, Canada came out with renewed pressure in the second period.
After a bout of sustained pressure, Brianne Jenner took a point shot off a pass from Renata Fast that alluded Frankel. After Hilary Knight tied it up, Fast and Jenner would connect again, this time with Jenner stationed atop the crease redirecting a low shot from Fast.
Down by a goal in the third period, Caroline Harvey walked the blueline out waiting the Canadian checkers before beating Desbiens cleanly glove side.
Late in the third while killing a penalty, Claire Thompson flipped a puck over the glass to put Canada down two players. Hilary Knight scored her 100th career point for USA to put USA up 4-3 late. Only moments later Knight completed the hat trick to lift USA to a gold medal win.
After pulling the goalie, Cayla Barnes slid the puck into the open net securing USA's 6-3 victory.