GANGNEUNG, South Korea - Canada and the United States, the most intense rivals in women's hockey, will play for Pyeongchang Winter Olympic gold on Thursday in a gritty showdown both teams have awaited for years.

"A battle for the ages, as usual," Canada's Brianne Jenner said on Tuesday.

"It's the biggest stage. On the one hand it's like any other tournament, and on the other it's our (NHL) Stanley Cup."

Defending champion Canada plays for a fifth straight Olympic gold, having won 24 consecutive Olympic contests. "It always is chippy," said Canada's Rebecca Johnston. "We're both competitive and we both want to win that gold medal. It's going to be a rough game."

The Americans are seeking their first Olympic gold in 20 years, since the inaugural women's event in 1998 at Nagano.

"It would mean everything to us," said US goaltender Maddie Rooney, while teammate Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson added: "We're ready to go to battle."

The teams have met in all but one Olympic or world championship final, each team beating the other 11 times.

"Those games don't matter. They're in the past," Johnston said. "We've been getting better throughout the tournament, that's what we're focusing on."

In 2014, the Americans were seconds from Olympic gold and saw a clinching shot at an empty net clank off a goal post. Canada then battled back to tie the score in the dying seconds, then won in overtime.

"We've worked hard the past four years," US captain Meghan Duggan said. "We looked at ourselves in the mirror and figured out what we can take from it.

"That was a long time ago, it's a new team, we're ready to go. We've learned from things in the past but we're looking forward. This team is ready, it's full of passion, energy and excitement."

Canada won last week's group-stage game over the US 2-1 - and it ended with a melee and two roughing penalties as shoves escalated.

"That's how it has always been. It's a great history," Canada coach Laura Schuler said.

"It's always awesome for everybody to see two powerhouses go at it on the world stage."

The Americans have won the past four world titles, three of them since Canada took a fourth consecutive Olympic crown.

"The rivalry has been there since I was born," said 22-year-old US forward Dani Cameranesi. "It's always a great game."

Canada's Jenner said she is living out her childhood dream playing for gold.

"But once the puck is dropped you're on auto pilot," Jenner added.

"You train so many hours for this that your body knows what to do and takes over."

Canada's Meghan Agosta, seeking her fourth gold medal, said this year's team has a special bond.

"Our team is the closest it has ever been, we're like a family," she said.

"We have a lot of speed, talent and skill and we're ready."

The Olympic Athletes from Russia play Finland on Wednesday for bronze.

Agence France - press