U.S. downs Canada 4-1 to sweep women’s hockey Rivalry Series

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Hilary Knight scored twice, including an empty-netter, to lead the United States to a 4-1 win over Canada in a women’s hockey Rivalry Series game Saturday.

The U.S. swept the four-game series and outscored Canada 24-6.

Defenders Caroline Harvey and Laila Edwards also scored, and Taylor Heise had two assists for the U.S. to finish with a series-leading eight assists.

Aerin Frankel stopped 23 shots in the U.S. net.

Brianne Jenner scored and goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens made 28 saves for Canada.

Hockey players jostle for the puck. — Hayley Scamurra of the U.S. (16) and Canada’s Kristin O’Neill challenge for the puck during second period action. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)

The U.S. won the first three games 4-1 in Cleveland, 6-1 in Buffalo, N.Y., and 10-4 in Edmonton.

After giving up a worst-ever 10 goals to their archrivals, the Canadians wanted to wrest a measure of momentum back in their final meeting with the U.S. before their preliminary-round meeting in the Olympic tournament Feb. 10 in Milan, Italy.

Hockey Canada is expected to name its 23-player Olympic roster in early January. Canada opens defence of its gold medal Feb. 4 against Finland in Milan, Italy.

Canada’s two college skaters, forward Caitlin Kraemer (Minnesota-Duluth) and defender Chloe Primerano (Minnesota), drew in Saturday for forward Danielle Serdachny and defender Nicole Gosling, who played Wednesday.

Knight threw a sharp-angled shot on net and fooled Desbiens between the pads for a 3-1 lead at 11:29 of the third period.

Canada had a six-on-four for the final 17 seconds of the game, but didn’t score.

Canada outshot the U.S. 12-6 in the first period, but the visitors carried an 18-8 advantage in the second.

Edwards gave the visitors a 2-1 lead at 7:29 of the second when she wired a cross-ice pass from Heise upstairs on Desbiens.

Harvey’s shot deflected off Canadian defender Primerano battling with Abbey Murphy at the crease, and by Desbiens at 5:13 for the first goal of the game.

Canada drew even a minute later off a neutral zone turnover. Jenn Gardiner backhanded a pass to Jenner in the slot for the latter to rifle over Frankel’s glove.

Canada scored three power-play goals on 12 chances in four games, while the U.S. was 6 for 17.