The Americans sealed a third consecutive world title by beating hosts Canada - the Olympic champions - 1-0 in the final in Kamloops on April 4.

After the match had finished goalless in regulation time, Alex Carpenter reacted quickest in a goalmouth scramble to net an overtime winner for the US.

Her goal handed the Americans their seventh crown from the last nine tournaments and means that Sochi 2014 gold medallists Canada now lie second.

Finland remain in third position while Russia have climbed from sixth to fourth after winning bronze in Kamloops.

They beat the Finns on penalty shots after another goalless draw, with their new ranking meaning they qualify automatically for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

Sweden remain in fifth place and have also booked their spot at the Games in South Korea.

Joining the top five at the Olympics will be hosts South Korea and two sides who come through qualification tournaments next year.

Switzerland, who failed to advance from the group stage at the World Championship, are the big losers in the standings.

Before the event they sat fourth and in a Pyeongchang spot, but they must now come through qualifying.

The Swiss beat Japan at the tournament over two legs to avoid relegation to Division One.

Japan still managed to move up to seventh, at the expense of Germany.

That means they will be given the right to host one of the qualifying events - along with the Swiss - with the honour given to the two best ranked countries who are yet to seal their place in Pyeongchang.