GANGNEUNG, South Korea (REUTERS) - Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson scored the winner in the shoot-out as the United States beat Canada 3-2 on Thursday (Feb 22) to win their first gold medal in women's Olympic ice hockey since 1998 and snap a streak of four consecutive golds for their arch-rivals.

The US prevailed 3-2 in the shoot-out after the teams were locked at 2-2 after regulation and through a 20-minute overtime period.

It was a classic grudge match between the long-time adversaries, who are only two countries to have won gold in women's ice hockey since it made its Olympic debut 20 years ago in Nagano.

In a back-and-forth game, the US led early before Canada rallied to take charge in the second period, appearing set for a fifth straight gold until Monique Lamoureux-Morando, Jocelyne's twin, tied the scores with a breakaway goal late in the third.

Neither team found the net in overtime as the contest went to a shoot-out, with the US drawing first blood when Gigi Marvin scored on the first shot of the tie-breaker.

Canada's Meghan Agosta replied to make it 1-1. Then, in the fourth shoot-out round, Canada's Melodie Daoust and American Amanda Kessel, sister of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Phil, both scored to make it 2-2.

As the contest remained locked at 2-2 after five rounds, it went to sudden-death with Lamoureux-Davidson drawing Shannon Szabados towards her before sliding the puck behind the Canadian goalie to put the US ahead.

With the medal now on the line, the Canadians sent Agosta out again, but she was foiled by goaltender Maddie Rooney to seal a magnificent win for the Americans.