"[Decentralization] is just a different approach," Botterill said. "Our team is feeling great, so we don't feel like we've lost anything by playing for club and college teams. But next year, in preparing for the Olympics, we will be a centralized program,"

Canada owed much of its victory to outstanding goaltender Kim St. Pierre of McGill University, who stopped 33 of 35 U.S. shots, including a clean breakaway from U.S. captain Cammi Granato in the first period.

In contrast, U.S. goaltender Sarah Tueting faced just 18 shots and stopped 15.

Although the U.S. dominated the course of play and outshot Canada, the Americans-on three occasions-left opponents unmarked on the doorstep. The opportunistic Canadians made them pay every time.

"Our team is really jelling at the right time," Shewchuk said. "Even though we have only been together as team for six days, some of us have played together a lot. And some of our lines have played together for years."

The first Canadian goal came on a power play 8:09 into the contest, when Canadian winger Dana Antal deflected a shot from the point from linemate Vicky Sunohara past Tueting.

Former New Hampshire forward Carisa Zaban tied the game in the final minutes of the first period with a spectacular individual effort. She darted up the right wing, skated through a defender, then flipped a backhander over St. Pierre.