PLYMOUTH, Mich. – The U.S. relentlessly dominated Germany, scoring soon after the puck dropped and refusing to relent until the final horn sounded.

Hilary Knight scored 1:06 into the game and Kelli Stack added a goal midway through the first period to give the Americans a cushion that they weren't content with in an 11-0 victory over the Germans on Thursday night in the women's hockey world championship semifinals.

"We didn't want to play down to their pace," said Kendall Coyne, who scored two of her team's five goals in the second period. "We want to play up to our pace."

The Americans will face Canada for gold on Friday night. They're shooting to win a fourth straight world championship final against the rival Canadians, who beat them in the 2014 Olympics.

Canada defeated Finland in the other semifinal 4-0.

"There's no love lost on the ice," U.S. captain Meghan Duggan said. "It gets heated."

Without needing to break a sweat, Nicole Hensley stopped eight shots for the U.S. for a shutout.

The Germans will face Finland in the bronze-medal game Friday, aiming for their first medal in the International Ice Hockey Federation world championship.

"We're super motivated," German goaltender Jennifer Harss said. "We're super excited. We can't wait."

Associated Press