U.S. foil Finns´ gold dream in women's ice hockey in Beijing

Finland will fight with Switzerland for bronze in the women's ice hockey in Beijing Olympics 2022 on Wednesday as they were defeated to the United States in the semi-finals by 1-4 at Wukesong Sports Centre on Monday.

The U.S. out-shot Finland 12-6 in the first period, but the period was ended with goalless draw.

The second period saw a more aggressive U.S. team. Cayla Barnes and Hilary Knight scored two goals in the second period and took 2-0 lead.

Hayley Scamurra and Abby Roque scored two more goals for US in the third period to ensured the ticket for final while Susanna Tapani scored the lone goal for the Finns, although Finland struggled hard to fight back.

Meanwhile, in another semi-finals overwhelmed Switzerland by 10-3 and will face US in the final on Thursday.

News Agency Xinhua adds: Canada used a little more than 10 minutes to get a 5-0 lead. Erin Ambrose scored the team's fifth goal in the match and 49th goal in the tournament, which means Canada broke the 48-goal record for women's ice hockey in a single Winter Olympics. The previous record was set by Canada at Vancouver 2010.

It was heading for a thrashing until Switzerland pulled one back thanks to the goal from captain Lara Stalder in the 19th minute of the first period.

The second period started with another goal for the Swiss. Alina Muller shot the puck into the net during a fast break to close the gap at 5-2.

Both teams fought hard on both sides, and the second period ended with Canada leading 8-3.

The final period finished with another two goals from Canada, and the four-time Olympic champion got the easy victory by a seven-goal margin.

"I think a lot of the credit is for our coach, Troy [Ryan]," said Canadian forward Brianne Jenner about the 54 goals so far on the tournament. "I think he's given us some great systems that allow us to be creative."

Canada managed to get into the finals of all the seven Winter Games since 1998 when women's ice hockey was included in the Olympic program for the first time.

"It's not easy to get to this point," said Jenner. "It's been building and building and building for years."

Canada has won four Olympic golds and two silvers, and they will seek to avenge the final defeat to the United States four years ago in PyeongChang.

Canada has a 3-2 head-to-head record against the U.S. in their five encounters in the Olympic final of the previous six Games. Four years ago, the U.S. beat Canada 3-2 through shoot-off to win the gold medal.