HERNING, Denmark — The United States reached the final of the women's world hockey championship with a 10-1 semifinal win over Czechia on Saturday.
Amanda Kessel scored a hat trick and had an assist for the U.S., which awaits the winner of a later semifinal between Canada and Switzerland to know its opponent in Sunday's gold-medal game.
Hilary Knight scored twice to augment her records for all-time world championship points with 89 and goals with 53.
Taylor Heise had two goals and three assists to lead both the U.S. and the tournament in points with seven goals and 11 assists in her first world championship.
Hayley Scamurra, Jesse Compher and Caroline Harvey also scored with goaltender Nicole Hensley stopping nine shots for the win. The U.S. scored six goals in the opening period.
Klara Hymlarova scored and Klara Peslarova made 29 saves for Czechia, which made the tournament's final four for the first time and will play for bronze Sunday.
The U.S. has reached the final of every women's championship since the inaugural tournament in 1990 in Ottawa, and won nine gold medals.
Canada edged the U.S. 3-2 in overtime for gold last year in Calgary, which ended a run of five straight titles by the Americans.
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