U.S. beats Finland, will face Canada in gold medal match
BEIJING >> Hilary Knight could think of no better way to close the Beijing Games women's hockey tournament than a rematch between the United States and Canada with the gold medal on the line.
During an Olympic tournament criticized for lacking parity because of too many lopsided scores — and big on predictability with the U.S. and Canada once again dominating — the title will be settled between the world's two major powers on Wednesday. It will mark the next chapter in a fierce rivalry which dates to the Americans defeating Canada at the 1998 Nagano Games.
“You know, I think it's wonderful hockey. It's the most beautiful rivalry in sports,” Knight said after scoring a goal and adding an assist in the United States' 4-1 semifinal win over Finland on Monday. “It gets the best and the worst out of both of us at the same time. And it's just a wonderful game.”
Canada advanced earlier in the day when it erupted for five firstperiod goals over an Olympic record span of 3:24 in a 10-3 win over Switzerland.
The matchup will mark the sixth time out of seven Olympics in which the U.S. and Canada have met for gold. The lone exception was the 2006 Turin Games, when Canada defeated Sweden after the Swedes eliminated the Americans in the semifinals.
While the Americans are the defending Olympic champions following a 3-2 shootout win at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, Canada is considered the favorite. The Canadians have steamrolled through the tournament with a 6-0 record, in which they've outscored opponents 54-8, including a 4-2 win over the U.S..
Canada captain Marie-Philip Poulin said it made no difference who her team faces in the final.
“We worked for these moments. We've been working for four years,” Poulin said. “I think we deserve it.”
Canadian player Sarah Nurse, however, was looking forward to playing the United States.
“Obviously, playing the U.S. it's always an exciting game, always an exciting rivalry,” said Nurse. “Our biggest focus is we get to play another game at the Olympics. We came here to play seven games. We wanted the last one to be the gold-medal game.”
The Americans will be there waiting to meet them.
Cayla Barnes had a goal and assist while Hayley Scamurra and Abby Roque, with an emptynetter, also scored against Finland. Alex Cavallini stopped 25 shots and had her shutout bid end on Susanna Tapani's goal with 26 seconds remaining.
Finland will face Switzerland in the bronze-medal game on Wednesday in a repeat of the same matchups from the world championship tournament in August, when Canada beat the U.S. 3-2 in overtime of the championship game. Finland won bronze with a 3-1 win over the Swiss.
Barnes opened the scoring 3:39 into the second period against the Finns by pinching in from the right point to convert Hannah Brandt's pass through the crease for a power-play goal.
Knight, playing in her U.S. women's team record-tying 21st Olympic game, scored the eventual winner with 1:07 remaining in the second. Savannah Harmon's initial shot was blocked, and Knight got to the loose puck to the left of the net and snapped it in for her 11th career Olympic goal, tying Jenny Potter for third on the U.S. list.
Anni Keisala stopped 38 shots for Finland..