Canada hockey women battle past US for 23rd win in row

GANGNEUNG, South Korea: Four-time defending champion Canada outbattled arch-rival United States 2-1 in a heated grudge clash Thursday at the Pyeongchang Winter Games, stretching their Olympic women’s hockey win streak to 23 games.

Meghan Agosta and Sarah Nurse scored second-period goals and goaltender Genevieve Lacasse made 44 saves for the Canadians in the physical group-stage contest, expected to be a preview of next Thursday’s gold-medal showdown.

Brianna Decker hit the post on a final US shot and a scramble in front of the Canada goal for the puck led to pushes, shoves and two roughing penalties well after the final horn.Beating the world champions made Canada the top seed for Monday’s semi-finals with the Americans second as both await Saturday quarter-final winners from among Switzerland, Finland, Sweden and the Olympic Athletes from Russia. US coach Robb Stauber was pleased with his team’s 45-23 shots edge and aggressive attitude. Agosta opened the scoring on the power play 27:18 into the game off a Natalie Spooner backhand centering pass and Nurse gave Canada a 2-0 edge just 7:38 later, snuggling a left-wing shot into the near corner of the net.