NYKOPING, Sweden --- The United States defeated Canada 4-3 in a shootout to secure the championship Sunday at the 2011 Four Nations Cup.
Hilary Knight scored the decisive goal in the shootout while Monique Lamoureux-Kolls (Grand Forks, N.D.) was named the U.S. Player of the Game.
Kelli Stack gave the U.S. an early 1-0 lead only 1:10 into the first period with Jocelyne Lamoureux (Grand Forks, N.D.) and Lamoureux-Kolls recording the assists. Team USA went on to outshoot Canada 23-7 in the opening period but couldn't add to its lead.
The majority of the second period was played scoreless until Canada's Caroline Oullette evened the score with 30 seconds remaining before the second intermission. After a slow first period, Canada outshot the U.S. 18-8 in the middle frame.
The U.S. would regain the lead twice in the third period off goals by Jenny Potter and Stack's second of the game, but each goal was answered by Natalie Spooner as Canada came from behind to even the score for the third time in the game.
The U.S. outshot Canada 28-13 in the third and overtime periods for a 60-38 advantage in the game. Canada's Shannon Szabados made 56 saves in the losing effort.
The line of Lamoureux (0-2-2), Lamoureux-Kolls (0-1-1) and Stack (2-0-0) combined for five points in the game.
Lamoureux finished the tournament tied for second in scoring with eight points (3-4-7) while Lamoureux-Kolls was tied for fourth with seven points (3-3-6). They also finished the tournament first and second in plus/minus rating at +8 and +7, respectively.
Sweden defeated Finland in the third-place game 2-1 in overtime.
In Division I action in Fussen, Germany, Norway defeated Japan 4-3 to go undefeated in the tournament. Jorid Dagfinrud (Sarpsborg, Norway) was the winning goaltender to pick up her third win in as many starts while Andrea Dalen (Honefoss, Norway) collected one assist for her third point (1-2-3) in four games.
The Fighting Sioux return to action at the Ralph Engelstad Arena next weekend hosting Western Collegiate Hockey Association rival Minnesota State. Game times are set for Friday and Saturday at 7:07 p.m.
~GO SIOUX~
