It was never in doubt: Canada books date with U.S. for gold

has plenty of critics, a voice that found even more ammunition on Monday when it was announced that the women’s tournament will be expandedbytwoto10teams for the 2022 Games in China.

The rest of the world clearly has a long way to go to catch Canada and the U.S.,asbothadvancedwith such ease that the semifinals were glorified warmups. Each team plays with speed and skill and with an intensity that will be through the Gangneung Hockey Arena roof on Thursday.

“We certainly feel after the round robin we had and that semifinal we feel confident,” Canadian forward Brianne Jenner said. “We’re excited about the kind of game we’re playing.

“It will be a battle (for) the ages as usual. It’s one of from Jennifer Wakefield and singles from captain MariePhilip Poulin, Rebecca Johnston and first-time Olympian Emily Clark. Canada outshot the Russians 47-16. Starting goalie Shannon Szabados was steady in earning the shutout.

With the win, they Canadians earned a sixth consecutive trip to the final. They’ll meet the Americans for a fifth consecutive time.

Thelatestclashislayered with meaning, as it always seems to be with these two, guaranteeing the intensity will be off the charts.

“Thisisthegamethatyou want,” said U.S. forward Hilary Knight. “This is the game we’ve been dreaming of and to have another opportunity to get back here, it’s huge.”

The Americans have been waiting for this game for what must seem like forever. Start with the four-year time frame dating back to the SochiOlympicswhentheyheld a 2-0 lead with roughly four minutes remaining in the gold-medal contest. In one of the greatest games in international hockey history, Canada stormed back to win 3-2 in overtime.

But really, the U.S. has been waiting 20 years since women’s hockey made its Olympic debut and they won their only gold medal. Canada has captured every one since and compiled a 24-game winning streak along the way.

As these countries have shown repeatedly, in a onegame showdown past performances — recent and dated — can be tossed. “It doesn’t matter what happens in the past, it’s a new game here,” Poulin said. “I think we matured over the year. We know what happens.”