The U.S. received back-to-back power play opportunities in the second period after Canada was tagged for a pair of illegal hits. Hannah Bilka (Coppell, Texas) eyed a one-goal lead when she jumped on a rebound on the edge of the crease but was denied by the quick glove of Desbiens.
It was Canada’s turn on the power play at the end of the middle stanza after Team USA received minor penalties for hooking and delaying the game, heading into the final third down a skater.
The U.S. went back on the penalty kill at 15:45 in the third period. Kendall Coyne Schofield (Palos Heights, Ill.) created a shorthanded chance after she poked the puck away from a Canadian defender on the U.S. blueline and shot up the ice. She dished a pass to Hilary Knight (Sun Valley, Idaho) as she came down the slot but was denied by Desbiens.
With the game scoreless after 60 minutes, the U.S. and Canada headed to overtime.
Simms called game 3:38 into overtime on a three-on-one rush when Caroline Harvey (Salem, N.H.) set her up in the slot where she ripped a wrist shot through the five-hole of Desbiens.
With the victory, Team USA has won Group A and will play in the quarterfinals at 8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
NOTES: Aerin Frankel (Chappaqua, N.Y.) was named the U.S. Player of the Game… The U.S. outshot Canada 30-26… The U.S. was 0-4 on the power play while Canada was 0-3… Tonight’s attendance was 4,017, a sellout and a new ice hockey attendance record for the Adirondack Bank Center.
