Milan: The stage is set for yet another chapter in women’s ice hockey’s fiercest rivalry as the United States stormed into the Olympic final with a commanding 5-0 victory over Sweden at the Milano Cortina Winter Games.
The win sends the Americans into a gold medal showdown against arch-rivals Canada — the seventh time the two global powers will meet in an Olympic final since women’s hockey debuted at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.
The U.S. has been nothing short of dominant throughout the tournament, remaining unbeaten in six games and outscoring opponents 31-1. Monday’s semifinal was another clinical display, highlighted by a late second-period blitz that broke Sweden’s resistance.
Cayla Barnes opened the scoring before Abbey Murphy, Kendall Coyne Schofield and Hayley Scamurra struck on three consecutive shots within a span of just 2:47 late in the second period. Taylor Heise added another to complete the rout.
Goaltender Aerin Frankel delivered yet again, turning aside 21 shots to register her third shutout of the Games. The Americans have not trailed at any point in the tournament and extended their remarkable shutout streak to over 331 minutes.
“I think we’re looking incredible,” Scamurra said after the win. “We’ve been consistent all tournament, but our ultimate goal is that gold medal.”
While the U.S. cruised through its semifinal, Canada had to grind out a 2-1 win over Switzerland. Veteran captain Marie-Philip Poulin once again proved decisive, scoring twice to set a new Olympic career goal record with 20 tallies across five appearances. She surpassed the previous mark held by Hayley Wickenheiser.
Canada’s Ann-Renée Desbiens made seven saves in the semifinal, while Switzerland’s Andrea Brändli impressed with 44 stops in a valiant effort.
The upcoming final also carries emotional weight, potentially marking the last Olympic appearance for two iconic leaders — Poulin for Canada and U.S. captain Hilary Knight, who has announced this will be her fifth and final Games.
The Americans have momentum on their side, including a 5-0 victory over Canada in the preliminary round and seven consecutive wins over their northern rivals dating back to last year’s world championships. However, history suggests little can be taken for granted in a gold medal clash of this magnitude.
Canada has claimed five of the seven Olympic titles in women’s hockey, while the U.S. captured gold in 1998 and 2018.
Meanwhile, Sweden and Switzerland will battle for bronze in a rematch of their encounter at the 2014 Sochi Games, where Switzerland earned its first women’s hockey medal.
All eyes now turn to Thursday’s final — a rivalry renewed, legacies on the line, and Olympic gold at stake.
Source: ESPN
Discussion about this post