US edges the Czechs to reach the final at the women’s ice hockey worlds

CESKE BUDEJOVICE Czech Republic AP Kelly Pannek scored to rally the United States past the Czech Republic - and into the final at the women s ice hockey world championship on Saturday In Sunday s final the U S will play defending champion Canada or last year s bronze medalist Finland who meet in the other semifinal later Saturday With the domination the Americans improved to - against the Czechs all-time at the worlds and - in semifinals Laila Edwards also scored for the U S and captain Hilary Knight recorded an assist to increase her record at the worlds to U S goalie Aerin Frankel made saves Pannek has earned at least a point in every U S challenge and leads the organization with four goals Pannek skated around the net and her backhand shot was saved by Czech goalie Kl ra Peslarov but she netted the winner on a rebound into the final period In the second period where the Americans pushed hard for an equalizer outshooting the Czechs - and - overall Edwards got it in wristing a shot into the roof of the net from the left circle on a power play Tereze Plosov scored for the Czechs who will play the bronze medal championship for the fourth straight tournament The Czechs stunned the hot favorite taking a lead with left in the opening period to the delight of the sell-out crowd of almost Kl ra Hyml rov seized the puck behind the goal and fed Plosov who shot over the shoulder of Frankel AP women s hockey https apnews com hub womens-hockey Source