Old rivals in final face-off

GANGNEUNG: Canada and the United States, the most intense rivals in women’s hockey, will play for Pyeongchang Winter Olympic gold tomorrow in a gritty showdown both teams have awaited for years.

“A battle for the ages, as usual,” Canada’s Brianne Jenner said.

“It’s the biggest stage. On the one hand it’s like any other tournament and on the other it’s our (NHL) Stanley Cup.”

Defending champions Canada play for a fifth consecutive Olympic gold, having won 24 Olympic contests in a row.

“It always is (chippy),” said Canada’s Rebecca Johnston.

“We’re both competitive and we both want to win that gold medal. It’s going to be a rough game.”

The United States, the reigning world champions, seek their first Olympic gold in 20 years, since the inaugural women’s event in 1998 at Nagano.

The teams have met in all but one Olympic or world final, each team beating the other 11 times.

In 2014, the Americans were seconds from Olympic gold and saw a clinching shot at an empty net clank off a goalpost. Canada then equalised in the final seconds and won in over-time.

Canada won a group-stage clash over the US women 2-1 last week, a game that ended with a melee in front of the Canadian goal and two roughing penalties as shoves escalated.

The Americans have won the past four world titles, three of them since Canada took a fourth consecutive Olympic crown.

Canada’s Jenner says she is living out her childhood dream playing for gold.

“But once the puck is dropped you’re on auto-pilot,” Jenner added.

Meanwhile, Ryan Donato scored twice to help the United States ease to a 5-1 win over Slovakia yesterday and book a spot in the men’s Olympic ice hockey quarter-finals.

The victory set up a showdown against the Czech Republic, who were undefeated in pool play, today.