Olga Sosina and Liudmila Belyakova gave Russia a 2-0 lead going into the second period and although Kelty Eileen Long Apperson pulled one back to give Canada hope, further goals from Sosina and Alevtina Shtareva secured a 4-1 win.

Three-time champions Canada had plenty of opportunities to force their way back into match, only for their wastefulness in front of goal to ultimately prove their downfall. 

They even failed to capitalise at the end of the second period when Russia's Ekaterina Lobova and Sosina were penalised for illegal hits and Alexandra Vafina for hooking.

Victory for Russia sees them retain their crown having beaten Canada in the final two years ago in Granada.

It was particularly special for Vafina, who plays for the University of Calgary Dinos. 

"I know a number of the girls," she said.

"But this is different - here you also play for your country.

"It’s just a really good feeling. 

"I hope I can take all the good from this experience."

In the bronze medal match, the United States scored the only goals of the game in the final period to beat China 3-0.

Kendra Myers, Leah Macarthur and Madeline Wolsmann all got their names on the scoresheet within 10 minutes of the restart.

"I can say this was a difficult game between two strong teams," US head coach Sharyl Looney said.

"In the beginning, the Chinese players were pressuring us.

"However, by the end of the game we managed to score."

The men's ice hockey medal matches are scheduled to take place at the Halyk Arena on Wednesday (February 8).

Semi-finals are set to be held tomorrow with Russia facing Canada and hosts Kazakhstan going up against Czech Republic.