April 12, 2008

Harbin, China - Meghan Agosta and Valerie Chouinard will bring home silver medals. For the second time ever, the United States won the gold medal at the IIHF World Women's Championship Saturday in China. The Americans survived a late comeback from Canada and held on for a 4-3 win. The last time the Americans won the event was in 2005. Before the 2005 championship, Canada had won every world women's title.

Canada got out to a quick start with a four-on-four goal just 1:57 into the game. But that was the lone score for the Canadians until the third period. By then, the Americans had built a 4-1 lead.

Canada scored twice in the third to make things interesting, but the Americans held on.

Agosta had two of Canada's 24 shots, but did not factor in the scoring. Chouinard was carried as an alternate.

Team USA forward Natalie Darwitz was named the Directorate's Best Forward, while teammate Angela Ruggiero was dubbed the Best Defenseman. Finland's Noora Raty rounded out the awards by taking home Best Goaltender and MVP honors.