United States blanks Finland 5-0 to reach women’s hockey worlds final

HERNING, Denmark (AP) — The United States shut out Finland 5-0 on Sunday to advance to the final of the women’s ice hockey worlds.

The defending champion will face the winner of the other semifinal between Canada and Sweden in Monday’s gold medal game.

Captain Hilary Knight had a goal and added an assist with Kelly Pannek, Alex Carpenter, Caroline Harvey and Lacey Eden also scoring.

Aerin Rankel stopped 17 shots for her eighth career worlds shutout and 19th victory.

The Americans jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening period after Pannek netted the opener from the low slot 6:36 in and Knight fed Carpenter with a backhand pass from behind the net to double the advantage with 3:26 remaining.

Harvey, Eden and Knight extended the lead to 5-0 in the span of 1:35 in the second period.

Tournament leading scorer Harvey moved on to 15 points from six games. Knight extended her record point tally to 130 with 74 goals and 56 assists in 93 games at the worlds.

Finland pulled goalie Sanni Ahola, who made 20 saves, after the second period, with Emilia Kyrkko taking over and finishing with nine saves.

Finland will next play in the bronze-medal game after finishing third last year.

See AP’s full women’s hockey coverage here

United States players celebrate after their win in the semifinal match between the United States and Finland at the Women's Ice Hockey World Championship in Herning, Denmark, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

United States' Lacey Eden celebrates after scoring her side's fourth goal during the semifinal match between the United States and Finland at the Women's Ice Hockey World Championship in Herning, Denmark, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

United States' Caroline Harvey (4) celebrates after scoring her side's third goal during the semifinal match between the United States and Finland at the Women's Ice Hockey World Championship in Herning, Denmark, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Finland's Sanni Rantala is challenged by United States' Hilary Knight during the semifinal match between the United States and Finland at the Women's Ice Hockey World Championship in Herning, Denmark, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Finland's goaltender Sanni Ahola, second left, reacts after she fails to stop a shot by the United States' Hilary Knight (21) for the team's fifth goal during the semifinal match between the United States and Finland at the Women's Ice Hockey World Championship in Herning, Denmark, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Houston Texans will be short-handed when they try to keep their surge going on Sunday in Cleveland.

Edge rusher Danielle Hunter, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., and running back David Montgomery will all sit out because of an injury. Three-time Pro Bowl left guard Wyatt Teller is dealing with an illness and will not play.

Hunter, who has four sacks this season, missed practice on Friday with a hamstring issue. Harrison, who is still trying to figure out his role after being acquired in a trade with Arizona, also has a hamstring injury.

Montgomery, listed as questionable on Friday's injury report, will miss his fourth straight game with a groin problem. Houston edge rusher Will Anderson, who had been questionable with an ankle injury, will play.

The Texans, who have won three of four since an 0-4 start, also made linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, tight end Brevin Jordan and interior offensive lineman Keyland Rutledge inactive.

The Browns, coming off an overtime loss in New Orleans last week, made quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green, linebacker Justin Jefferson, cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, safety Ronnie Hickman and center Parker Brailsford inactive.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) escapes a sack attempt from Houston Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter (55) during the second half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)