MISSISSAUGA, Ontario -- The United States scored twice in the final 2:31, defeating Finland 3-1 in women's hockey for its first victory at the Four Nations Cup.

The win by the Americans (1-1-0) on Thursday night came a day after a 7-0 loss to Canada. The U.S. select team features nine Olympic veterans, including star Cammi Granato.

The Canadians beat Sweden 5-1 in Mississauga in Thursday's other game and are assured a berth in the championship game.

With the score tied at 1 after one period, the United States won on a third-period goal by Kelly Stephens and an empty-netter by Krissy Wendell. U.S. goaltender Erin Whitten had 20 saves.

"I just made the decision we weren't going to loss,'' Stephens said. "It came down to clutch hockey for us as a team in the final minutes, and there was nothing else to do but win.''

On Saturday in Kitchener, the United States plays Sweden (0-1-1) in its final preliminary game and Canada (2-0-0) faces Finland (0-1-1).