After winning gold at the Nagano 1998 Games and capturing the silver in the 2002 Olympics at Salt Lake City, Team USA completed its collection of winter hardware by jumping to a quick 3-0 lead after the first period enroute to posting its second win of the competition over Finland.

Katie King (Salem, N. H.) scored three goals in the game as she posted the “hat trick” on an even-handed goal with 18:16 left in the second period on assists by Julie Chu (Fairfield, Conn.) and Kristin King (Piqua, Ohio).  King’s first two even-handed goals came with 11:51 and 8:55 left in the first period with assists from Helen Resor (Greenwich, Conn.) and Jenny Potter (Edina, Minn.), respectively. Kelly Stephens got the United States on the scoreboard first with a power play goal with 17:28 left in the first period with an assist from Chu and Natalie Darwitz (Eagan, Minn.).

After a heartbreaking 3-2 shootout loss to Sweden Friday in the semi-finals, Team USA posted its 21st win in 23 international games against Finland, including three previous victories at each of the Olympic Winter Games in Nagano (4-2), Salt Lake City (5-0) and Torino (7-3 in pool play).

While the Team USA will be watching their first women’s Olympic gold medal game from the sidelines, Canada will be competing in its third finale. The United States scored a 3-1 win over the Canadians to capture the 1998 gold before losing the 2002 finale to its rivals from the north 3-2.