The rivalry between Canada and the US women's hockey teams continues today (Jan. 2) in the gold medal game of the IIHF U18 women's world championship.

The 4-1 win in semifinals on Jan. 1 gives the Canadians a shot at defending their title. They'll have a familiar opponent in the final. The Americans shut out the Russians, 3-0, to return to the dance. 

Eleven of the 12 world championships to date have been matchups between the North American rivals, with the Americans winning seven of them. Canada won in overtime last year to end a four-year gold medal drought.

In their semifinal game against the Finns, the Canadians took a 3-0 lead in the first. The two exchanged goals in the third. The Canadians also beat the Finns 4-1 in the preliminary round.

Canada remains the only undefeated team thus far in the tournament. Always a close matchup, Canada beat the States 2-1 in the preliminary round.

Cochrane's Sarah Wozniewicz, 16, is wearing #21 for the Canadians and is appearing in her first world championship. In August, she played in a cross-border exhibition series between Canadian and American select players.

Today's game gets underway at 12:30 p.m. Alberta time.

Russia plays Finland for the bronze.