Feb 3, 2015; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers mascot Bucky Badger give a thumbs up as he entertains the crowd during the game with the Indiana Hoosiers at the Kohl Center. Wisconsin defeated Indiana 92-78. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

Wisconsin Football: Reaction From Badgers First Spring Practice in Pads by Jim Oxley

A few Wisconsin women’s hockey players helped Team USA to a first round win in the IIHF

The United States women’s hockey team opened play in the 2016 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships, and thanks to several former Wisconsin women’s hockey players, earned a 3-1 win over Canada in the opening round late Monday night.

Former Badgers star Hilary Knight scored a pair of goals, former Badger Brianna Decker scored a goal and former Badgers goalie Alex Rigsby earned the victory as Team USA scored all three goals in the final period to emerge victorious.

Team USA went scoreless through the first two periods, despite having power play opportunities early on.

Team Canada took the lead very early in the third period on a Laura Fortino shot that went over Rigsby.

Team USA answered back, equalizing with 10 minutes left on the clock as Monique Lamoureux found Knight, who put one by Canadian goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer to tie the game.

Later in the period, Team USA took a 2-1 lead when Lamoureux sent a shot on goal during a power play, and Decker cleaned up the miss to give Team USA a one-goal lead with six minutes remaining.

That one goal lead was all they would need, but Knight punctuated the victory with an empty-netter as the final seconds ticked away.

Thanks for staying up to cheer us on. Solid team win. And how about @aRigs33 between the pipes?! Siick #WomensWorlds pic.twitter.com/uNhZ01tC3q — Hilary Knight (@Hilary_Knight) March 29, 2016

Team USA coach Ken Klee said the team was able to settle down after the slow start and pull out the victory in the final period.

“We got past some early jitters and beared down during the course of the game. We earned the win and will look to get better as the tournament progresses.”

Former Badger Rigsby earned the victory in the net, notching 22 saves on 23 Canada shots on goal. Decker added an assist to her game-winning goal, while Kinght finished with Team USA’s other two goals.

Team USA plays again today, March 29, against Finland. The game begins at 5:30 p.m. CT.