U.S. women get a shot at gold
GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA» The Americans played their way back into the only women’s hockey game that matters: a showdown with Canada for the Olympic gold medal.
The Americans are back in the title game for a third straight Olympics after shutting out Finland 5-0 on Monday in the semifinals. They will face their archrivals Thursday, and the Americans will be trying to win their first gold since 1998 when women’s hockey made its debut in the Olympics.
And, yes, the Americans understand the United States-Canada game for gold is what everyone expects to see.
“Definitely the rivalry has been there since I think I was born, so everyone’s looking forward to that,” said 22-year-old Dani Cameranesi.
This will be the third opportunity at gold for six Americans: captain Meghan Duggan, Hilary Knight, Gigi Marvin, Kacey Bellamy and twin sisters Monique Lamoureux-Morando and Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson.
“It’s honestly a dream come true,” Knight said. “This is the world’s biggest stage. This is the game that you want. This is the game we’ve been dreaming of, and to have another opportunity to get back here, it’s huge.”
Canada is the four-time Olympic champion and has won the last five games against the U.S. The Canadians know a battle is likely.
Olympic newcomer Cameranesi scored two goals and added an assist to lead the Americans past Finland. Marvin started the scoring, and Lamoureux-Davidson and Knight both scored during a 5-on-3 just 34 seconds apart in the second period. Maddie Rooney made 14 saves for the shutout.
The Americans wasted no time getting on the board. Captain Meghan Duggan found Marvin alone in the slot, and she beat Raty stick-side for the easy goal just 2:25 into the game.
The Americans opened these Games with a 2-1 loss to Canada wrapping up pool play.
“This was really a gold medal preparation for us because they’re a darn good team, and we had to be ready to play,” U.S. coach Robb Stauber said of Finland.