The North American nations made it through their semi-finals with relative comfort as the Canada defeated Sweden 6-2 before the US thrashed Russia 6-0.

Their successes mean they will meet in tomorrow’s final at the PSG Arena in Zlin, having already faced each other in the tournament’s group stage, with the Canadian’s winning 1-0 to get some revenge on the US team’s 3-2 in last year’s showdown.

Canada took the lead in the first period of their clash with Sweden through a Brooke Hobson shot before Sarah Fillier and Sophie Shirley made it 3-0 during the second.

However, Sweden managed to get back on track before the end of the period as Josefin Bouveng was credited with a goal which had been turned in by Canadian defender Shelby Wood after the puck bounced off goaltender Edith D’Astous-Moreau.

Then the European’s got back to just one goal behind Paula Bergstrom’s effort managed to find its way through a crowd and into the net.

But in the third period, Canada regained composure and control as they fired three more goals in.

Fillier and Shirley added one more each and Meagan Beres found the target too.

“We’re pleased with the end result,” said Canadian coach Troy Ryan.

“We’ve played better and I know we can play better tomorrow.”

In the other semi-final, Grace Zumwinkle hit a hat-trick in Prerov to help the US cruise into tomorrow’s gold medal match.

Taylor Wente, Clair DeGeorge and captain Cayla Barnes also scored while at the other end Lindsey Reed only had six saves to make all game.

“I thought it was our best game of the tournament,” US coach Joel Johnson said.

“Everything from our defensive play to getting a variety of players involved in the offence was good.

“It was a really well-balanced game from us and I’m proud of our kids.”

The final will take place at 7pm local time while the bronze medal match between Russia and Sweden starting three hours earlier.

Elsewhere at the tournament, Switzerland came through a relegation play-off against Japan with a 2-1 victory after overtime and penalties.

Rahel Enzler scored the only shot in the shoot-out in a game where she had given the Swiss a 1-0 lead before Japan’s Airi Sato equalised.

The loss means Japan head back to Division I-A while Switzerland will feature in next year’s competition.

Finland won today’s other clash as they defeated the hosts 2-0 with goals from Camille Kahra and Linnea Melotindos.