The United States made a powerful surge toward its fifth consecutive women's hockey world championship, scoring five goals in the third period of a 6-2 first-round victory Thursday over Finland in Espoo, Finland.
The U.S. women have lost only one opener in 18 previous world championships — in 2013 when they opened against Canada. That matchup is scheduled for Saturday in the Group A preliminary round.
Finland led 2-1 after two periods when the Americans broke through against former Gophers goalie Noora Raty. Melissa Samoskevich tied it at 3:10 of the third before Hilary Knight put the U.S. ahead to stay at 4:51.
Ten players had at least a point for the U.S. Captain Kendall Coyne Schofield had a goal and two assists, and Knight and Alex Carpenter each finished with a goal and an assist.
Women's tennis
Ranked players ousted
Defending champion Kiki Bertens and third-seeded Aryna Sabalenka, both among the top 10 players in the world, lost at the Volvo Car Open in Charleston, S.C.
Bertens, No. 6 in the WTA rankings, fell to 15th-seeded Maria Sakkari, and Sabalenka, the world's 10th-ranked player, was defeated by Monica Puig 6-2, 7-5.
Isner out of Clay Court
• No. 1 seed John Isner withdrew from the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship because of an injured foot. His withdrawal leaves Steve Johnson as the top seed. Johnson will try to become the first player to win three consecutive titles at the event since Bobby Riggs did it from 1936-38.
AROUND THE HORN
Amateur golf: NCAA champion Jennifer Kupcho held on for a 1-under 71 and a one-shot lead in the Augusta National Women's Amateur at Augusta National in Georgia. It's the first time women have completed at the home of the Masters.
