CALGARY, Alberta – Hilary Knight (Sun Valley, Idaho) broke the all-time IIHF Women’s World Championship goal record as the U.S. (3-0-0-0) skated to a 6-0 victory over Team ROC here today in preliminary round play of the IIHF Women’s World Championship. With an assist on Knight's goal, Brianna Decker (Dousman, Wis.) became the all-time U.S. assist leader in women's world championship play.

Knight's goal was her 45th in the women's worlds, eclipsing Hockey Hall of Famer Cammi Granato, while Decker's assist was her 39th, passing Jenny Potter and Krissy Wendell.

The U.S. came out of the gate quickly and rang a shot off the post :15 in. The fast-paced play was matched by each team with the first whistle coming 5:53 into the frame. Britta Curl (Bismarck, N.D.) tallied her first career goal with the U.S. Women’s National Team 11:50 into the period after she cleaned up an initial try from Grace Zumwinkle (Excelsior, Minn.). Zumwinkle looked to make it a two-goal game with a one-timer opportunity, but ROC goaltender Anna Prugova got in front of it.

Highlights

Knight's historic goal came 3:17 into the middle period when she buried a shot from the slot off a feed from Decker.

Lee Stecklein (Roseville, Minn.) extended the U.S. lead with a blast from the blue line with 2:35 left in the period.

The U.S. added a trio of goals in the third, including power play markers from Kelly Pannek (Plymouth, Minn.) and Abbey Murphy (Evergreen Park, Ill.). Murphy's goal was her first with the U.S. Women's National Team. The sixth and final goal of the game came 7:53 into the frame off the tape of Jesse Compher (Northbrook, Ill.), also her first career goal with the USWNT.

Alex Cavallini (Delafield, Wis.) stopped all 11 shots she faced in the victory for her second shutout of the tournament.

The U.S. finishes preliminary-round play Thursday (Aug. 26) against Canada at 6 p.m. ET. That game, along with every U.S. tournament game, will be televised live in the United States on NHL Network.

NOTES: Hilary Knight was named U.S. Player of the Game … The U.S. outshot ROC, 55-11 … Team USA was 2-8 on the power play, while ROC was 0-1 … Knight and Zumwinkle have recorded at least a point in all three preliminary round games … For more information about the tournament, click here.

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