BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Canada will play a familiar foe for the gold medal at the under-18 women's world hockey championship.
The Canadians defeated Russia 3-1 on Sunday to advance to championship game while the United States blanked the Czech Republic 5-0 in the other semifinal.
Canada and the United States have met in all seven previous gold medal games at the U18 women's world championship -- with Canada claiming the last three gold medals and four overall.
Russia's Fanuza Kadirova opened the scoring just 78 seconds into the opening period before Jaycee Gebhard tied it for Canada later in the frame.
Shae Labbe gave Canada the lead midway through the second period and Sarah Potomak added an insurance goal in the third.
Marlene Boissonnault made 17 saves to earn the win in the Canadian goal.
Canada outshot Russia 51-18.
Canada opened the tournament with a 2-1 shootout loss to the United States in preliminary play before earning victories over Russia and the Czech Republic.
The Canadians and Americans meet Monday for the gold-medal match. The Czechs and Russians will meet for bronze.
