USA Beats Finland, Updated Women's Hockey World Championship 2026 Results and Bracket

The United States is one win away from successfully defending its gold medal in the IIHF Women's World Championship.

Team USA hammered Finland 5-0 on Sunday in the semifinals in Herning, Denmark.

Five different players scored.

Kelly Pannek got the U.S. on the board for the U.S. with 6:36 gone in the first period. Alex Carpenter doubled the United States' lead before the team exploded for three more goals in the second period.

Caroline Harvey, Lacey Eden and captain Hilary Knight all chipped in. Their goals came during a span of less than two minutes.

The sizable deficit prompted Finland coach Tero Lehterä to pull goaltender Sanni Ahola for Emilia Kyrkkö heading into the final frame.

Tessa Janecke was singled out for her efforts thanks to a pair of assists.

Harvey made history again. She's leading the tournament with 15 points (six goals and nine assists) to break her own record for the most points by a defender.

Aerin Frankel played all 60 minutes in goal for the United States and made 17 saves.

Another meeting with rival Canada could await in Monday's final. The Canadians are taking on Sweden in the other semifinal clash.

Should the Canadians prevail, they'll try to tip the scales back in their favor after the United States became the top power in women's hockey. The United States won the 2025 world title, and that served as a preview for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Finland still has an opportunity to head home with a medal, and this could be the country's third straight bronze finish.