Hockey

VANCOUVER- The women's hockey teams from Canada and the United States will see plenty of each other between now and the Olympics in February, so there is ample opportunity for a Maple Leaf redemption.

But what it is quickly shaping up, early in the pre-Olympic season, is the likelihood that Canada will enter its home Games as an underdog to the top-ranked U.S., as was the case at Salt Lake City in 2002.

"They keep telling us it's hard to play an Olympic Games in your own country," head coach Melody Davidson said. "So I guess we're living that right now."

On Sunday, the Americans beat Canada for the sixth time in their last eight games, winning 2-1 before 8,137 at GM Place in the gold medal game of the Hockey Canada Cup, a 2010 Olympics test event. The U.S. has claimed the last four major international competitions, and also downed the home team 4-2 in the preliminary round of the four-team tournament.

"I don't know if they're in our heads but it would certainly be nice to [beat] them," Canadian captain Hayley Wickenheiser. "The good thing is, we see what they have and we know what they're going to throw at us."

That would include a dangerous power play, which went two-for-five, and the brilliant goaltending of Jessie Vetter, who made 34 saves and has beaten Canada five straight times.

"It was good to have a game like that because if we come back in February, it will be louder and crazier," Vetter said. "I think we realize we can win in Canada."

The North American teams will meet at least seven more times before the Olympics, including dates in Victoria (Oct. 5), Calgary (Dec. 15), and Ottawa (Jan. 1). They are also expected to meet for the Olympic gold medal on Feb. 25.

U.S. captain Natalie Darwitz, who departed a semi-final victory over Finland on Saturday with an apparent head injury, scored the game-winner early in the third period.

Canada's lone goal, by Meghan Agosta, came on a five-on-three power play late in the first period. Monique Lamoureux notched the opening tally, a loose puck that deflected off Canadian forward Sarah Vaillancourt and past goaltender Kim St-Pierre.

"It's a matter of winning the [big] games," St-Pierre said when asked about the U.S. run of success. "Nobody was crying in the dressing room."

Besides this tournament, the Americans have won the last two world championships, as well as the 2008 Four Nations Cup. Canada has prevailed at the last two Olympics.

Following its victory at the worlds in April, the U.S. overtook Canada as the No. 1 nation in women's hockey, according to the International Ice Hockey Federation's rankings. It was the first time it had earned that distinction since the ranking system was introduced in 2004.

The teams entered the third period tied 1-1 after a terrific opening frame filled with chances and exceptional goaltending on both ends. St-Pierre finished with 27 saves, but her teammates couldn't finish a series of around-the-net opportunities.

Vetter made a flurry excellent saves and admitted that all the success against Canada could lead to overconfidence or laziness if the Americans lose focus. The U.S. had won eight straight against Canada entering the 2002 Olympics, but settled for silver on home soil.

The U.S. has already selected its Olympic team, naming a 21-woman roster on Aug. 24. It will play a minimum of 18 games, plus a series against high school teams, before the Games. Fifteen players are Olympic rookies, while two players - forward Jenny Potter and defenceman Angela Ruggiero - will compete in their fourth Olympics.

Canada is carrying 26 players and must cut five skaters. The Canadians could play as many as 62 games before the Olympics, depending on how they fare in tournaments. Davidson is in no rush, and is expected to wait until late-December.

Earlier on Sunday, Finland defeated Sweden 1-0 for the bronze medal. The Finns scored a 3-2 upset over the U.S. in the tournament opener.