THE CANADIAN PRESS

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FUSSEN, Germany - Canada will face the U.S. in the final of the women's world under-18 hockey championship for the second year in a row after beating Sweden 6-1 in the semifinals Friday.

Melodie Daoust of Valleyfield, Que., had a hat trick and added an assist to lead the way for Canada.

In the other semifinal, the U.S. pounded the Czech Republic 18-0 to set up Saturday's all-North American final.

After a scoreless first period, the Swedes opened the scoring six minutes into the second when Erika Grahm beat Canadian goalie Cassie Seguin of Ingleside, Ont., for a 1-0 lead.

It was the first time Canada trailed in the competition, having outscored opponents 35-1 in three preliminary-round games.

The lead was short-lived as Canada equalized on the very next shift with Laurie Kingsbury of Valleyfield, Que., beating Sweden's Josephin Lennstrom.

After three dominating performances, Canada head coach Stephanie White said she was glad her team faced some adversity heading into the Saturday's final.

"That was important for us. I think it was that little boost that we needed and then from there we just got stronger and stronger as the game went on," White said in telephone interview.

Daoust scored her first of the game four minutes later to give Canada the lead and added another before the period was out to send the teams to the dressing rooms with a 3-1 lead.

Sweden came out hard to start the third period but Ottawa's Jamie Lee Rattray scored at the three minute mark to effectively seal the Canadian victory.

Daoust added her third at the midway point of the third and Brittany Phillips of Lauder, Man., scored late to round out complete the 6-1 win.

Rattray said falling behind in a game will give Canada a boost going into the final.

"The whole team got together and we got a goal, and we got the next goal and just kept going," said Rattray. "So it was good to see some adversity. It helped our team so I thought we turned it around really well."

Seguin made 21 saves in the win, while Lennstrom stopped 24 pucks in defeat.

Saturday's final is a rematch of last year's gold-medal game in Calgary which saw the U.S. beat Canada 5-2.

This year, the Americans have scored an astonishing 55 goals in four games, while surrendering only two.

"It's going to be a high speed, tough battle of a game," White said. "Special teams will be a factor for both teams and goaltending will be a factor as well."

Canadian players have remained focused on each game at this year's tournament without thinking ahead to the seemingly inevitable rematch with the U.S.

"The players have all been very focused on the 'now' in terms of this tournament," said White, who was not in charge in Calgary.

"Sure, the ones that were there last year remember how the tournament ended and I know they're eager to get to that game tomorrow and make a positive outcome for Canada."

In the Americans' win, Madison Packer and Alev Kelter had hat tricks, while Amanda Kessel - the younger sister of Boston Bruins' forward Phil Kessel - added two goals and three assists.

In Friday action in the consolation round, the host Germans beat Switzerland 2-1, while Finland beat Russia 2-1.