By Canadian Press

Jamie Lee Rattray scores twice for Canada in 5-1 win over U.S. in women’s worlds.

Aug 26, 2021 | 7:48 PM

CALGARY — Jamie Lee Rattray scored twice to lead Canada to a 5-1 win over the United States in the women’s world hockey championship Thursday.

Canada topped Pool A at 4-0 ahead of defending champion U.S. at 3-1. 

Both countries awaited the outcome of a later Pool B game between Germany and Japan to know their Saturday quarterfinal opponents.

Melodie Daoust had a goal and an assist to lead Canada in tournament points with three goals and four assists in four games. 

Renata Fast and Sarah Nurse also scored for the host country. Goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens stopped 22-of-23 shots for the win.

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Lee Stecklein replied for the Americans in their first meeting with Canada since the conclusion of their five-game Rivalry Series on Feb. 8, 2020 in Anaheim, Calif., where the U.S. won 4-3 in overtime to take the series 4-1.

American goaltender Alex Cavallini was pulled for Nicole Hensley after giving up four goals on 20 shots before the midway point of the game. Hensley turned away six shots in relief.

It was Canada’s largest margin of victory against the Americans since a 5-1 win Oct. 25, 2017 in Boston.

The U.S. didn’t give up a goal in its first three games of the world championship in Calgary.

Canada was minus captain Marie-Philip Poulin on Thursday. 

The centre was scratched after taking a shot in the chest in Tuesday’s win over Switzerland. Brianne Jenner served as captain Thursday.

Finland (2-2) finished third in Pool A following a 6-0 win over Switzerland. The Finns face the Czech Republic, the Pool B winner at 4-0, in a quarterfinal Saturday

Russia (1-3) and Switzerland (0-4) were fourth and fifth in Pool A respectively and meet in another quarterfinal.

The semifinals are Monday followed by Tuesday’s medal games.

The U.S. trailed by five goals when Stecklein threaded a shot from the blue-line through traffic to score at 2:44 of the third period.

Nurse scored shorthanded on a 2-on-1 with Jenner at 10:36 of the second. Play continued after Nurse’s shot went off the post and in until it was reviewed and ruled a goal.

Rattray scored twice in the period on a wraparound at 7:16 and on a rebound at 4:18.

The Canadians started strong outshooting the Americans 15-4 and leading 2-0 after the opening period.

Cavallini couldn’t corral the loose puck in front of her and Fast chipped it over the prone goaltender at 13:50. The goal was initially waived off, but ruled valid upon review.

Canada produced a first-period goal for the first time in the tournament when the puck sprang off the backboards out to Daoust, who scored from her knees at 7:13.

Notes: The all-time points leaders in the women’s world hockey championship are retired Canadians Hayley Wickenheiser (86) and Jayna Hefford (33) . . . Natalie Spooner earned her 100th career point with the national team.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 26, 2021.

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press