The U.S. jumped out to a 2-1 lead when a slap shot from Hilary Knight (Sun Valley, Idaho) found its way to the back of the net. Finland tied the game with 24 seconds remaining in the period when a point shot found its way to the back of the net.
At the 12:18 mark in the second period, Taylor Heise (Lake City, Minn.) collected the puck as she exited the penalty box, walking in a far-side blocker shot to give the U.S. a 3-2 lead. Kendall Coyne Schofield (Palos Heights, Ill.) opened a two-goal lead for the United States just a few minutes later, sneaking a shot five-hole from just inside the right circle.
Finland pulled back within one with 40 seconds remaining in the period when Sofianna Sundelin put a shot under Frankel’s outstretched pad.
Just 15 seconds into the third, Coyne Schofield recorded her second of the game to put the U.S. up 5-3. After a short-range shot from Knight that hit the post, Alex Carpenter (North Reading, Mass.) collected her rebound and put another tough-angle blip on net, which Coyne Schofield collected for the score.
The U.S. will play its fourth and final preliminary round game against Canada on Monday (April 8). Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET and the game can be seen live on NHL Network.
NOTES: Kendall Coyne Schofield (Palos Heights, Ill.) was named the U.S. Player of the Game … The U.S. outshot Finland, 45-12 … The U.S. and Finland were both 2-6 on the power play.
