WINNIPEG

Canada, United States meet again for gold in women's world hockey championship

The Canadian Press Published Friday, April 3, 2015 11:16AM CST

Canada's Natalie Spooner, centre, reacts after scoring a goal, during the Women's Hockey World Championship semifinal match between Canada and Finland, at Malmo Isstadion in Malmo, southern Sweden, Friday, April 3, 2015. (AP Photo/TT, Claudio Bresciani)

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MALMO, Sweden -- Canada earned a 3-0 semifinal win over Finland on Friday to advance to the final at the women's world hockey championship.

Canada will face the defending champion United States on Saturday.

Canada and the U.S. have met in the championship game of all 16 world events thus far.

The Canadians won the first eight world titles but the Americans have claimed five of the last seven, including four of the last five.

The U.S. advanced with a 13-1 semifinal win over Russia.

Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin scored the lone goal in the first two periods. Rebecca Johnston scored on a Finland turnover in the first minute of the third, then added her second of the game miidway through the period.

Goaltender Meeri Raisanen gave Finland a chance for the upset with 37 saves. Canada's Ann-Renee Desbiens stopped 19 shots for her second shutout of the tournament.

Finland and Russia will play for bronze Saturday.