Knight makes more history in win over Russia
Former Choate standout Hilary Knight had a goal and an assist as the United States defeated Russia 5-0 Saturday in Olympic women’s hockey pool play.
Knight moved past two American hockey legends with those two points. Her 20 career Olympic points are fourth in United States Olympic history, breaking a tie with Hall of Famer Cammi Granato. Only Jenny Potter (32), Natalie Darwitz (25) and Katie King (23) have more.
Her 13th assist puts Knight second alone, breaking a tie with Fairfield’s Julie Chu. Potter leads that list with 21.
Knight set up Savannah Harmon on a power play to open the scoring with a deft backhand pass across the top of the crease. In the second period, Knight deflected a Harmon shot from the blue line past Russian goalie Maria Sorokina.
Russia — playing as the Russian Olympic Committee under the Olympic flag because of a doping scandal — kept it tight for a couple of periods behind Sorokina, a former Connecticut Whale goalie. Daria Gredzen replaced her with 11:16 left after three third-period American goals, the third from Alex Carpenter. Sorokina made 38 saves.
Harmon assisted on Carpenter’s goal and led the Americans with three points.
The United States faces Switzerland on Sunday at 8:10 a.m. Eastern Time, then meets Canada on Monday night Eastern Time at 11:10 p.m. to wrap up pool play.
Canada remained atop Group A on goal differential with an 11-1 win over Finland. Sarah Nurse, cousin of former UConn basketball player (and a Canadian Olympian herself) Kia Nurse, scored three goals.
Canada’s lead was just 2-1 after one, but five goals in the second turned the game into a rout and chased former Connecticut Whale goalie Meeri Raisanen from Finland’s net. Raisanen finished with 28 saves on 35 shots. Nine players had more than one point for Canada.
In Group B, Japan defeated Denmark 6-2 and the Czech Republic topped Sweden 3-1. Both victors are 2-0.