Canada defeats U.S. in Game 5 to win Rivalry Series

Jennifer Gardiner scored her first national team goal with 6:44 to go in the third period to lift Canada over the United States 3-1 in the decisive Game 5 of the Rivalry Series in Summerside, Prince Edward Island on Saturday night.

Laura Stacey added an empty-netter with 1:19 remaining.

The Americans tied it on Kelly Pannek's tally just over three minutes into the final frame. Canada's Brianne Jenner opened the scoring less than seven minutes into the second period.

Danielle Serdachny chipped in a pair of primary assists for Canada on the goals by Jenner and Gardiner.

Canadian goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer made 28 saves in the victory. Her American counterpart, Aerin Frankel, stopped 40 shots in defeat.

The U.S. forced Game 5 with a 2-1 shootout win in Halifax on Thursday night.

The Americans won Game 1 in San Jose by a 7-2 margin on Nov. 6. Canada took the next two contests by way of a 5-4 shootout victory in Salt Lake City two days later and a 4-1 result in Boise, Idaho on Nov. 10.