U.S. women reach Olympic hockey final

SOCHI, Russia, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Jesse Vetter needed only eight saves Monday to help the United States down Sweden 6-1 and set up a meeting with Canada in the women's Olympic gold medal game.

Alex Carpenter and Kacey Bellamy scored 66 seconds apart in the first period to get the Americans going and they eventually built a 5-0 lead. The United States fired 70 shots on the Swedish net.

This is the fifth time women have played hockey in the Olympics and the United States ensured itself of winning its fifth medal. But the Americans have not won the gold since the inaugural tournament in 1998.

Canada earned its spot in the championship game with a 3-1 victory over Switzerland. The gold medal game will be played Thursday.

Sweden's Anna Borgqvist was called for a hooking penalty 5:45 into the contest and Carpenter scored 25 seconds later. Amanda Kessel, whose brother Phil plays for the American team that has advanced to the quarterfinals of the men's Olympic tournament, made it 3-0 before the end of the opening period.

Monique Lamoreux and Megan Bozek added second-period goals and Brianna Decker was credited with a score in the third when her slap shot rocketed off the crossbar and deflected off Sweden's Emilia Andersson into the net.

Sweden's only goal came from Borgqvist on a deflection with 6:56 to play.

Canada scored three times in the first 11:33 against Switzerland and did not register another goal. Natalie Spooner delivered the first two goals, the second one on the power play.

Melodie Daoust scored the other Canadian goal before Swiss goaltender Florence Schelling closed the door. Schelling made 45 saves.

Canada defeated the Americans 3-2 during group play at these Olympics.