The Americans came out on top in the latest chapter of the women's hockey rivalry between Canada and the United States
The Canadians fell short in their bid to win the first women's world under-18 women's hockey championship with a stinging 5-2 loss to the United States on Saturday.
Canada won the gold medal in the inaugural women's world hockey championship in 1990 in Ottawa and captured eight of nine titles after that.
But the United States will carry the mantle as the first champion of the world under-18 tournament in 2008 in Calgary.
"Whether it's the first, the second, the last, we want to win them all, so we got the first one and we're off to a good start," jubilant U.S. coach Katey Stone said.
Amanda Kessel, sister of Boston Bruins forward Phil Kessel, Brooke Ammerman, Meagan Mangene, Kendall Coyne and Brianna Decker scored for the United States, which rattled off four consecutive goals before Canada countered with one late in the second period.
"Beating them in their home barn with all their fans here was amazing," Kessel said. "I won a national championship last year and it doesn't even compare to this."
Carolyne Prevost of Sarnia, Ont., and Jessica Jones of Picton, Ont., replied for the Canadians, who were devastated following the loss of the gold.
"Team Canada is not used to losing," goaltender Delayne Brian said. "They came out strong and we never did really get it back. All week we had blowout games and I don't think we were quite expecting them to come out so strong."
U.S. goaltender Alyssa Grogan stopped 26 of 28 shots for the victory, while Brian of Winnipeg made 22 saves on 27 shots in the loss.
Grogan was selected the tournament's top goaltender, Canadian captain Lauriane Rougeau of Beaconsfield, Que., was chosen best defenceman and forward Marie-Philip Poulin of Beauceville, Que., given the nod as top forward.
Poulin and teammate Camille Dumais tied for the tournament lead in points with 14 each. The 16-year-old Poulin was a standout for Canada.
With her speed, smarts and playmaking ability, she could earn an invitation to try out for the Olympics team for 2010.
But Poulin was fighting back tears of disappointment Saturday.
"They played well and we missed our chances," she said. "They were pretty fast and they played well as a team and their power play was very good."
Canada had sailed through the tournament, outscoring the opposition 45-4 heading into the final.
But the United States was a faster team than Canada, which meant the Canadians were beaten to the puck, fore-checked relentlessly in their own zone and had trouble shaking defenders when they had possession.