(Troy Parla/Getty Images)
Danielle Serdachny was Canada's hero as they defeated hosts USA 6-5 to regain their women's ice hockey title on Sunday (15 April 2024).
For the 22nd time in 23 tournaments, the final of the IIHF Women’s World Championship was contested by the North American neighbours.
And 5:16 into overtime with two seconds left on a Canada power play, Serdachny reacted quickest to fire home the rebound after Erin Ambrose's shot had been saved by Aerin Frankel.
It was a thrilling game featuring end-to-end action and 10 goals in regulation time inside the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, New York State.
Ambrose gave Canada an early lead with her pass into the crease taking a deflection off Caroline Harvey's stick into the net.
In a frantic opening period, 20-year-old Laila Edwards - who scored a hat-trick in the semi-final win over Finland - advanced as two Canadian defenders fell to the ice before poking home the leveller.
Early in the second period, Julia Gosling shot through Frankel's legs to restore Canada's lead.
Megan Keller equalised in similar fashion midway through the frame with Ann-Renee Desbiens unable to keep the puck out.
After waves on American pressure on a power play, Alex Carpenter scored from in front to put the United States ahead.
Then came a superb strike from Marie-Philip Poulin against the run of play, delaying her shot before ripping one into the net to tie the game at 3-3 with a minute left in the second.
Midway through the third period, the United States had a powerplay and Harvey's long-range shot came back off the boards straight to Hilary Knight in front to flick home the rebound.
But their lead lasted less than two minutes as Emily Clark's centre was deflected in off Harvey's skate.
Then Poulin prodded home from close range, eventually putting it past Frankel at the fourth attempt, to give Canada a 5-4 lead with 7:41 remaining.
Just over five minutes from time, Lacey Eden moved behind the net to tee up Harvey for the equaliser which sent the match to overtime.
Poulin had a great chance on the breakaway but her shot was off-target. And after Frankel had made a superb save, the United States were penalised for having too many players on the ice.
And Canada eventually took advantage through Serdachny to claim a 13th world title, and deny Knight a record 10th crown.
Earlier, goalkeeper Sanni Ahola was the hero as Finland beat Czechia 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out to take bronze.
Ten minutes of three-on-three overtime failed to yield a goal after the teams finished tied at 2-2, before the Finns claimed a first women's World Championship medal since 2021.
Having won bronze last year, Czechia will be desperate to return to the podium in 12 months' time on home ice. Before the action got underway on Sunday, it was announced that Ceske Budejovice would stage the 2025 IIHF Women's World Championship from 9-20 April.