2018-19 National Women's Team

U.S. ERASES EARLY DEFICIT, BEATS FINNS IN 4 NATIONS OPENER

ALI WILSON

SASKATOON, Sask. – A five-goal second period was the difference, leading the United States to a 5-1 win over Finland on Tuesday in the opening game at the 2018 4 Nations Cup.

Brianna Decker, Sydney Brodt, Hilary Knight and Dani Cameranesi all had a goal and an assist for the Americans, who finished with a one-sided 49-10 advantage in shots on goal.

It was Emma Nuutinen who started the scoring, letting go a shot in the slot that hit an American stick and bounced past goaltender Maddie Rooney for the lone goal of the first period.

However, it only took Brianna Decker 13 seconds to tie the game after the puck dropped to start the second, going short-side to beat Finnish netminder Noora Räty and opening the floodgates.

Cayla Barnes flew past the Finnish defense to give the U.S. its first lead at 5:21, and Hilary Knight tipped in a shot from Cameranesi just 61 seconds after that to make it a two-goal game.

Brodt converted a textbook tic-tac-toe set-up from Decker and Emily Pfalzer to make it 4-1 before Camaranesi knocked in a pass from Hannah Brandt to finish a period that saw the U.S. outshoot Finland 26-5.

The offence ran dry in a scoreless third period, as Räty made 14 of her 44 saves.

Both teams will see the ice again Wednesday; Finland takes on Sweden at 3 p.m. CT, while the U.S. battles it out against Canada at 7 p.m. CT.