Canada falls to U.S. in yet another OT finish between rivals at women's hockey worlds

Kirsten Simms scored the biggest goal of her career in what she said was the fastest and most physical game she's ever played in.

Simms' overtime goal for the United States broke a scoreless deadlock in a 1-0 win over archrival Canada at the women's world hockey championship Monday.

The U.S. stayed unbeaten after four straight wins, clinched the top seed in its group and handed Canada its first loss of the tournament.

"Super-surreal moment," Simms said. "Still haven't totally processed it at all.

"Any time we go against Canada, it's going to be an intense game. Just how quick that puck moves up and down the ice and how you have to be kind of on the full 60 minutes is huge, but super-fun to play in."

WATCH | Simms leads U.S. past Canada:

Canada (3-0-1-0) will face Sweden (3-0-0-1) on Thursday in the only quarterfinal matchup determined Monday.

The top five teams in Group A and top three in Group B are quarterfinalists. The semifinals are Saturday and medal games Sunday.

Defending champion U.S. awaited the results of Tuesday's games, which would determine the third seed in Group B. Germany (3-0-0-0) was also assured a quarterfinal berth atop Group B.

Canadian forward Brianne Jenner tripped and fell down in the offensive-zone corner, giving the Americans an odd-man rush in three-on-three overtime.

Simms scored on a screened shot between Ann-Renée Desbiens' pads at 3:38 of OT in front of a jubilant sellout of 4,017 at the Adirondack Bank Center.

American goalie Aerin Frankel posted a 26-save shutout.

"For a one-nothing game, it was pretty incredible," U.S. captain Hilary Knight said. "It's the fastest game you'll ever see, U.S. versus Canada."

Canada wasted a stellar outing by goaltender Desbiens, who repelled 29 shots and weathered several storms, including five shots in overtime before she was beaten by Simms.