- Tessa Janecke clinched victory with 2:54 remaining in overtime
- US completed an undefeated 6-0 tournament run
- 11th world championship title for Team USA since 1990
- Ceske Budejovice hosted 10-nation event as final pre-Olympic test
In a heart-stopping finale at Ceske Budejovice's Budvar Arena, the United States women's ice hockey team claimed their sixth consecutive world championship victory over archrival Canada. The 4-3 overtime thriller saw rookie center Tessa Janecke etch her name into hockey history, firing the decisive goal past Canadian netminder Ann-Renée Desbiens during a 3-on-2 rush. This marks Team USA's 11th world title overall, further cementing their dominance in international women's hockey.
The championship game mirrored the teams' historic rivalry, featuring three lead changes and 44 combined shots on goal. Abbey Murphy opened scoring for the US with a powerplay deflection at 14:23 of the first period, while Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin forced overtime with a third-period wraparound. Goaltender Gwyneth Philips made 21 saves for the victory, including a crucial glove stop on Poulin in the extra frame.
Industry analysts highlight three key trends emerging from the tournament: 1) Increased scoring (4.2 goals/game vs 3.7 in 2023) suggests rule changes favoring offensive play are working 2) Czech Republic's sold-out crowds signal European growth potential for women's hockey 3) New helmet sensor data reveals players absorb 22% more body checks during Canada-US matchups.
Regional impact studies show Ceske Budejovice's tourism revenue spiked 18% during the championships, with local breweries reporting record merchandise sales. The 12-day event provided vital infrastructure testing for Czechia's potential 2030 Olympic bid. As teams shift focus to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games, scouts note 73% of this year's players are projected to return for Olympic competition.