Hilary Knight, Team USA relish another opportunity to battle Team Canada for women hockey supremacy

In the 21 times the women's world hockey championship has been contested starting in 1990, Canada and the United States have met in the title game 20 times, the Canadians winning 12, the Americans nine. 

It's considered one of the best rivalries in sport for a reason. At the highest level of women's hockey these two North American juggernauts deliver time and time again. There is a deep respect for each other rooted in decades of iconic moments. And there is a distinctive fierceness, intensity and unparalleled passion when these two hit the ice. 

Here we go again.

This year's championship is underway in Brampton, Ont., and pundits and fans alike are once again predicting the obvious end game — Canada vs USA for women's hockey supremacy. 

The first meeting comes Monday in a round-robin game that will decide placing Group A. Every time the Americans take to the ice against their northern neighbours they want to make a statement.

"I like beating everyone. I like winning. It's an addiction," U.S. captain Hilary Knight told CBC Sports. 

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She wouldn't go too much further than that when talking about the rivalry. When pressed about a potential looming gold-medal game between the two foes, Knight smirked and offered a short response.

"It's going to be a great game,"  she said.

History backs up her answer and Knight would know. She's been a part of this rivalry dating back to the 2007 world championship, when she was the youngest player on a U.S. squad that finished second to Team Canada. She got her first taste of the revenge the following year when the U.S. defeated Canada to win gold. 

This is the first time Knight will be wearing the 'C' as