Becky Sullivan

It was an onslaught from the get-go.

Forward Dylan Larkin found the goal just over four minutes into the game, the first in a long line of Americans to score.

Tej Thompson, Jack Hughes, Jack Eichel, Brady Kachuk.

Slovakia had few answers, and the outcome was never in doubt.

For Canada, it was another nail-biter, this time against Finland.

They fell behind 2-0, then had to score three straight goals to escape with the win.

Canada versus the U.S.

was the gold medal matchup that many had hoped for, as U.S.

winger Matthew Kachuk acknowledged after the game.

Puck drops at 2.10 p.m.

local time.

That's 8.10 a.m.

Eastern time on Sunday.

Becky Sullivan, NPR News, Milan.

This U.S.

team was a freight train running through the Olympic Games with a blend of experienced vets like the five-time Olympian Hillary Knight and thrilling young talent like the 22-year-old phenom Layla Edwards.

But Canada, the traditional women's hockey power, took the U.S.

to the brink.

A rare defensive lapse by Edwards in the second period gave Canada a window to score a shorthanded goal to go up 1-0.

Later, with two minutes left in regulation, she made amends with a rocket of a shot that Knight tipped up and in for the equalizer.