VANCOUVER - It's a gold-medal matchup eight years in the making, and it's the only worthy gold-medal pairing based on what has transpired at the 2010 Olympic women's hockey tournament.

Canada and the United States will play for the championship on Thursday, just as they did in Salt Lake City in 2002, and in Nagano in 1998, and in every world championship since 1990. Canada cinched that superpower final with a 5-0 victory over Finland in a semi-final at Canada Hockey Place Monday night.

"In some ways, it was a little disappointing that we didn't get to face them in the '06 Olympics," veteran Canadian forward Jayna Hefford said. "It's something people love to watch, and we love to play in. ... You're going to see the best women's teams that have ever been on the ice."

Canada will be playing on home ice for a third consecutive gold medal. The United States will be playing to avenge their step-short loss in Turin four years ago, and their loss to Canada on home turf in 2002.

"We know exactly what their motivation is going to be," Hefford added. "We've heard it many times. It's going to be Salt Lake, it's going to be Miracle on Ice [celebrating its 30th anniversary], and that's good for them. That's their experience, and our experience, as Canadian hockey players, is completely different."

The Canada-Finland game was far closer than many expected - at least on the scoreboard - but on the shot clock, it was the rout it was supposed to be: 50-11 in Canada's favour. The Finns didn't register their first attempt on goal until 16 minutes had passed, and they barely registered a chance.

Haley Irwin scored twice, while Cherie Piper, Caroline Ouellette and Meghan Agosta added singles. Agosta leads the tournament with nine goals. Hefford had two assists, and Shannon Szabados cruised to a shutout.

Szabados was awarded the start in goal for Canada's first elimination game, confirming what many had suspected heading into the Olympics. The former third-stringer is now the team's No. 1 backstop, despite significantly less international experience than Kim St-Pierre and Charline Labonté. She is also known for her mastery of the Americans, including three consecutive victories against the arch-rival heading into the Olympics.

"It was an unbelievable feeling when I found out [about the start]," Szabados said. "I'm sure I'm going to get some [tests] next game."

In 2006, a Canada-U.S. final was spoiled in the semi-finals when Sweden stunned the Americans with a 3-2 shootout upset. That was avenged Monday, as the U.S. cruised to a 9-1 victory, sending the Swedes to the bronze-medal game to face arch-rival Finland.

The Finns deserve heaps of credit for their performance Monday night. Though it was certainly lacking in offence, it wasn't lacking in effort or heart. And unlike Sweden, which folded its tent against both superpowers, the Finns played for 60 minutes and showed why they've won the last two bronze medals at the world championships.

"The Finnish teams call it sisu. [It means] we battle and we never quit," said goaltender Noora Raty, who made 45 saves. "We are just getting better all the time, and one day we are going to beat them."

The women's tournament in Vancouver, however, has been an exercise in competitive imbalance. It has featured a litany of lopsided games involving the North American sides, proof positive that only two teams were capable of winning the big prize.

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yeah we have a girl from my town on the USA girls Hockey Team,her name is Molly Engstrom,,,,she's a very great athlete...


sorry to say FTA PRO, but the USA girls are gonna get the Gold!!!!

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USA girls looked good so far but Canadians looked even better, this is gonna be the first competitive game for both of these teams. Unfortunately for Americans Canada is gonna prevail and take the gold once again

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