Hilary Knight of the United States tries to get a loose puck as Finnish goalkeeper Miri Raisenen looks on during the third period of the IIHF World Hockey Championship on Sunday, August 22, 2021 in Calgary, Alberta. press about ap)

CALGARY, Alberta (AFP) – Hilary Knight set Kami Granato’s goal record in the Women’s World Cup on Sunday evening with the Americans’ 3-0 win over Finland.

The 32-year-old rider, who made his eleventh American appearance at the event, scored from a holeshot and topped the rankings with a 6:58 from the left. It was also within three points of Granato’s record of 78.

Grace Zumwinkel and Kelly Bannick both scored, and Nicole Hensley made 10 saves in the first group game to help the five-time champions improve to 2–0. Miri Rezanin blocked 36 shots for Finland (0-2).

The two teams met for the first time since the USA met in the 2019 championship game, the last tournament to beat hosts Finland 2–1 on penalties. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the Nova Scotia tournament to be canceled twice before moving to Calgary.

The United States also won the opening game 3-0 and beat Switzerland on Friday evening with Alex Cavallini in goal. The Americans have won eight of the last nine and nine of the last eleven.

Earlier, Canada defeated Russia 5-1 in the first group and Hungary 4-2 in the second group by the Czech Republic. All five teams in Group A and the first three places in Group B advance to the quarter-finals.

For Canada, Sarah Filler, Ella Shelton, Erin Ambrose, Melody Doust and Rebecca Johnston scored (2-0) against Russia (1-1). Anne-René Despains made six saves, only Olga Sosina’s goal to give her second remaining chance.

On Tuesday, the US will meet Russia and Canada will meet Switzerland.

At the start of the game, Teresa Radova, Daniela Pigsova, Vendola Pribilova and Denisa Krizova made 11 saves for the Czech Republic (2–0) and Klara Beslarova. Hungarian score by Rika Debussy and Fani Gaspareks (0-2).