Another chapter in the Canada-United States rivalry in women’s hockey has been written. This time, it was penned in Canadian ink.

Canada defeated the U.S. 3-0 in the IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship gold medal game at Tikkurila Arena in Vantaa, Finland, winning their first gold medal since 2023 and their third in the last four tournaments.

This is the eighth time Canada has won a IIHF U18 gold medal, putting them one shy of the U.S. record of nine.

Caileigh Tiller opened the scoring midway through the second period on the power play, one-timing a pass from Danica Maynard and recording her fourth of the tournament to make it 1-0.

Midway through the third period, Dorothy Copetti scored her third of the tournament off a weird bounce, as a passing attempt in the direction of the slot deflected off the skate of U.S. defender Alaina Dunn and past netminder Morgan Stickney to make it 2-0.

Copetti’s goal was the first even-strength tally given up by the U.S. throughout the entire tournament.

With less than two minutes left and the U.S. pressing, Stryker Zablocki blocked a point shot and carried the puck up the ice, burying an empty net goal and sealing the victory for Canada.

Zablocki finished the tournament with eight goals and 12 points, leading in both tournaments.

This is a developing story. More to come…

Final standings

1. Canada (6-0-0)
2. United States (5-1-0)
3. Czechia (4-2-0)
4. Sweden (3-3-0)
5. Switzerland (1-2-1)
6. Finland (1-2-1)
7. Slovakia (1-4-0)
8. Japan (0-4-1, relegated)