U.S. Women's National Team Captures Championship with 4-3 Shootout Win Against Canada at 2011 Four Nations Cup Team USA Wins First Championship at Four Nations Cup since 2008

NYKOPING, Sweden -- Hilary Knight (Sun Valley, Idaho) scored the decisive goal in a shootout, as the U.S. Women's National Team defeated Canada, 4-3 in a shootout, to secure the championship at the 2011 Four Nations Cup.

"I'm pleased with how our kids played," said Katey Stone, head coach of the 2011 U.S. Women's National Team. "We had a lot of jump. We put a ton of pressure on in the overtime. This is just the beginning of the season and a good win to build on."

Kelli Stack (Brooklyn Heights, Ohio) gave the U.S. an early 1-0 lead with her fourth goal of the tournament at 1:10 of the first period. Team USA went on to outshoot Canada, 23-7, in the opening frame. But Canada's Caroline Ouellette evened the score with 30 seconds remaining in the second period.
Jenny Potter (Edina, Minn.) gave the U.S. the edge with a power-play tally at 2:36 of the third period before Canada's Natalie Spooner evened the score at 6:46. Stack struck for her second goal of the night at 9:53 to give the U.S. a 3-2 advantage. However, Spooner tied the score again for Canada at 15:49 to send the championship game to overtime. The teams skated four-on-four for a 10-minute extra session with neither team able to break the deadlock.

In the shootout, Stack and Knight scored for Team USA to secure the win. Jayna Hefford scored the lone goal in the shootout for Canada.
Jessie Vetter (Cottage Grove, Wis.) made 35 saves in the victory to improve the U.S. Women's National Team's overall record to 2-1-0-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L) in the tournament, while Shannon Szabados stopped 56 shots in the loss.