ZLIN, Czech Republic - Canada blanked the United States 3-0 Saturday to secure the gold medal in the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) U18 Women's World Championship.

Future teammates at UND in 2012-13, Canada's Meghan Dufault (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and Rebecca Kohler (St. Thomas, Ontario) earned gold medals while Samantha LaShomb (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) will return home with the silver medal.

Dufault concluded the tournament with five points (1-4-5) while leading all Canada forwards with a +10 plus/minus rating. Kohler found the back of the net three times and added a pair of assists.

LaShomb wrapped up the tournament tied for second among defenseman with a +11 plus/minus rating skating on the top defense pairing for the United States.

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