Labonté licks U.S. in gold medal preview at worlds

(CAPTION: Labonté gets focussed priot to game. Photo courtesy of HHoF/IIHF Images)

HÄMEENLINNA, Finland – McGill goaltender Charline Labonté of Boisbriand, Que., registered 22 saves for the win as Canada toppled the Americans 2-1 in a playoff round, gold medal game preview at the world hockey championship in Finland, Friday.

The game was scoreless after one period and Canada led 2-0 after two. They outshot the Americans 35-23. Winnipeg's Jennifer Botterill and Montreal native Caroline Ouellette scored for Canada, which improved to 48-31-1 lifetime against the Americans.

Labonté hadn't played since facing just five shots in a tournament-opening 13-1 win over China. She showed no rust, however. Her spectacular save halfway through the first period injected confidence into her teammates and Labonté also made two tough saves during a U.S. 5-on-3 power-play situation in the third period.

Monique Lamoureux of the U.S. took a pass from behind the net from twin sister Jocelyne and spoiled Labonté's shutout bid at 18:02 of the final period.

Canada's penalty killers put together a crucial kill in the third period as the U.S. played almost a minute with a two-man advantage. Labonté made big pad saves on both Gigi Marvin and U.S. captain Natalie Darwitz during the American power play.

Labonté had earlier robbed Meghan Duggan with a sprawling glove save halfway through the first period. Duggan dropped to one knee to tip in a goal-mouth pass and the Americans were already throwing their arms in the air in celebration when Labonté snared it in the webbing of her glove. Labonté also deflected Jenny Potter's short-handed breakaway in the second period.

Canada will be the home team in Sunday’s championship game, which is scheduled to be televised on TSN at 12 noon ET.