Once Again, It’s US vs. Canada for the Gold

“You train for so many hours for this that your body knows what to do it and it takes over”. Do not forget to update your bookmarks.

The Canadians suffered a surprising 3-2 loss to the Czech Republic in a shootout in the opening round, and that defeat came between victories over Switzerland and Korea.

The Americans, who haven’t won Olympic gold since 1998, made sure they would get another shot at the gold with a dominating performance in the semifinals.

South Korea’s squad of 23 players had been all set to represent their country at the Olympic ice hockey tournament – a first for the country’s women.

The team was formed just days before the Pyeongchang Games began during an eleventh-hour push by the two Koreas to improve ties after a year of spiking nuclear tensions that triggered fears of a war on the Korean Peninsula.

International Ice Hockey Federation chief Rene Fasel has expressed hopes for a unified Korean team at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, referring to them as the bearers of “the message of peace“.

“The politicians made the decision. but our players and our staff are the ones that made it work”, said Murray, whose team always attracted a packed stadium and a swarm of media at each game. “There’s no question both these teams want it as bad as possible”.

“Every single time we’ve ever faced the USA, it’s been a one goal difference”, Schuler said.

That’s a luxury the Canadians don’t have at a world championship. The U.S. women’s hockey has yet another shot at winning a gold medal at the Olympics.

Canada came out much stronger in the third period and doubled its lead to 4-0 with two goals in 31 seconds; Wakefield netting her second of the game at 1:59 and Clark scoring her first of the Games at 2:30. More than half the US roster wears that broken heart on their sleeve and uses the sting of that dramatic overtime loss as motivation on every step of their Olympic journey.

They had little trouble in the semifinals, improving to 8-0 against Finland all-time in the Olympics.

The Americans are 7-0 against Finland in the Olympics and have won 22 games in worldwide competition with one overtime loss and one tie.

“We worked our tails off off the ice”. I’m really thankful that we played Finland. They have been with us every step of the way.

The team opened the Olympic tournament in a frenzied, circus-like atmosphere, with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in the stands alongside Kim Yo-jong, sister of the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Their success forged a bond among the Americans and reinforced belief in their own power.

“Four years ago, we certainly looked at ourselves in the mirror and figured out what we can take away from it”, American forward Meghan Duggan said. But Murray, who through her father, former National Hockey League coach Andy Murray, also holds Canadian citizenship, decribed the team’s attitude and commitment as “incredible” after bursting into tears after the final buzzer sounded.

Maybe the Americans deserve to win.

Each team cruised in the semifinal round Monday, with the USA taking down Finland and Canada defeating the Olympic Athletes of Russian Federation, each by matching 5-0 margins.

Whether Schuler goes with the tried and tested Szabados, or opts for Lacasse, Canada’s goaltender be a key figure in Canada’s fortunes Thursday when faced with the quick and creative USA forwards.

The American team will most likely start their young goalie and Olympic rookie, Maddie Rooney, whereas Team Canada will go with their veteran, Shannon Szabados. Rebecca Johnston finished off the game with a power play marker at 14:08.

“I think it’s awesome on the world’s biggest stage for everybody to watch two powerhouses go at it”, Schuler said.