BEIJING (AP) – Record Olympic champions Canada and the USA are back in the women’s ice hockey final at the Winter Games in Beijing.

Canada easily won the first semi-final 10:3 (5:1, 3:2, 2:0) against Switzerland. 2018 Olympic champions USA had a bit more trouble in the evening against Finland in 4:1 (0:0, 2:0, 2:1).

Four-time Olympic champions Canada has never missed a final since the women’s ice hockey Olympics became a reality in 1998. However, four years ago in PyeongChang, the American women won the final. The American team missed the final in Turin only in 2006.

Canada decided the game against Switzerland with five goals in the first ten minutes. After that, the top favorite took things a little slower, but, as in the preliminary round, was still better. Canada had already won the first tournament 12:1 against Switzerland in Beijing.

The United States presented itself decisively only in the middle segment. A power play goal paved the way against the 2018 Olympic bronze medalist. The final will be played on Thursday (05:10 CET). Earlier, Finland and Switzerland will play for bronze on Wednesday (12:30 CET).

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