USA Hockey blanks Finland, advances to gold medal game at women’s world championship

The United States women’s hockey team is on to the gold medal game at the IIHF World Championship after defeating Finland 3-0 on Monday.

Alex Carpenter got the U.S. on the board first, tipped one in from the point to beat netminder Anni Keisala for her third goal of the tournament.

Hard work leads to Carpenter's third of the tournament! #WomensWorlds pic.twitter.com/ubVhr7ohR3

— USA Hockey (@usahockey) August 30, 2021

Later on in the second period, Abbey Murphy skated past Finnish defender Jenni Hiirikoski to score another for Team USA, extending the lead 2-0.

As we head to intermission, take a look at the Murphy goal that made it 2-0! #WomensWorlds pic.twitter.com/bAl1y62jVR

— USA Hockey (@usahockey) August 30, 2021

U.S. captain Kendall Coyne Schofield capped the scoring with an empty-net goal to make it 3-0 in the final minutes.

Nicole Hensley had 14 saves in net, securing her second shutout against Finland at the 2021 worlds. The U.S. is now 19-1-1 all-time against Finland in the tournament.

With the win, Team USA advances to its 19th straight gold medal game, dating all the way back to the first World Championship in 1990. The Americans will look to continue their streak after winning the past five worlds.

The U.S. will face Canada, the winner of the other semifinal Monday, in the championship game at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Canada dominated Team USA in their first meeting last Thursday, 5-1.