Canada have won five straight match-ups against the United States ©Getty Images

Two of ice hockey's heavyweights went to battle at the International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship, with hosts Canada defeating the United States 4-3 in a thrilling Group A match-up that went to a shootout in Brampton.

After 15 skaters failed to score, a shootout winner by Jamie Lee Rattray was the deciding factor.

On the scoresheet for the Canadians were Sarah Fillier, Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey, who guided their nation to a 100th ever win against the US and their fifth in a row - Canada's longest run of wins against their rivals in 13 years.

Scoring for the US were Hannah Bilka, Hilary Knight and Amanda Kessel, with the US scoring twice in the final 39 seconds of the third period to force overtime.

Knight scored with 39 seconds left to reduce the lead to one, then Kessel came up big for her country and equalised with 3.4 seconds left.

This was not enough as the Canadians went on to win and secure the first seed in Group A, leaving the United States in the second seed.

In the other Group A match-up, Switzerland claimed their first win, defeating Japan 4-3 to move-up to the third seed.

Japan were leading 2-0 at one point, with goals from Remi Koyama and Yoshino Enomoto.

Switzerland made a comeback in the second period to tie the score following goals from defenders Lara Christen and Nicole Valerie, before Japan regained the lead with a strike from Aoi Shiga.

In the third period, Switzerland flipped the tie in their favour, scoring two goals, courtesy of Alina Muller and Lara Stadler, giving them a much needed victory.

In a Group B match-up, Finland clinched the first seed following a 5-0 win over Hungary to triumph in a fourth straight game.

On the scoresheet for Finland were Nelli Laitinen, Jenni Hiirikoski, Jeniina Nylund, Emilia Vesa and Ronja Savolainen.

After struggling early on Finland made the breakthrough 20 minutes in when Laitinen made a quick point shot, which then lead to more goals coming.

With tomorrow being the last day of the group stage, the bracket will finally start shaping up.

Group A's teams automatically qualify to the quarter-finals, but a final match between the Czech Republic and Switzerland will be crucial for seeding.

Only three teams from Group B will make it through, with France facing Sweden and Hungary facing Germany.