Hilary Knight scored the game-winner with 9:43 to play in overtime as the United States beat Canada 3-2 to win the women's ice hockey world championship in Plymouth, Michigan.

The US women, who took the ice for the tournament only after a last-minute deal with USA hockey on wages and other support for the women's game, claimed their eighth world title -- and their first on home ice.

They were unbeaten in the tournament for the third straight year.

Kacey Bellamy scored twice for the United States, equallizing after Canada opened the scoring 1:01 into play with a goal by Meghan Agosta.

Bellamy beat Canadian goalie Shannon Szabados with a slap shot 3:33 later.

The United States killed off a pair of Canadian power-play opportunities in the opening 10 minutes of the second period and goaltender Nicole Hensley kept it tied with a sprawling glove save later in the period.

Bellamy gave the United States a 2-1 lead 42 seconds into the third. The play started when star forward Knight gathered the puck at the side of the net and fed a centring pass between her legs for Bellamy, who buried the puck for the score.

Knight is now considered the top women's player in the world with the recent retirement of Canadian star Haley Wickenheiser.

Brianne Jenner scored unassisted with 10:16 to play to tie the game.

Knight retrieved a pass from Kendall Coyne and delivered the game-winner with a slap shot from the left circle 9:43 into the extra frame.

Moments before the winner, Knight blocked a shot in the US end, setting the stage for the odd man rush that ended the contest.

The US women had threatened to boycott the tournament if USA Hockey didn't increase their support, including financial, to something more in line with what the men receive.

source: AFP