U.S. Secures Third Consecutive Victory in Olympic Women’s Hockey
The U.S. women’s hockey team has achieved its third consecutive victory at the Olympic Games in Milan Cortina. This latest win was marked by a decisive 5-0 triumph over Switzerland on Monday.
Match Highlights
In this match, Caroline Harvey and Joy Dunne each contributed a goal and two assists, while Gwyneth Philips made an impressive 20 saves in her Olympic debut. Additionally, goals from Alex Carpenter, Hannah Bilka, and Haley Winn solidified the U.S. team’s undefeated record of 3-0 in the tournament.
Key Players
- Caroline Harvey: 1 goal, 2 assists
- Joy Dunne: 1 goal, 2 assists
- Gwyneth Philips: 20 saves
- Hannah Bilka: 1 goal
- Haley Winn: 1 goal
Captain Hilary Knight also played a significant role, recording two assists and bringing her Olympic career points total to 31, just one shy of tying the U.S. record held by Jenny Potter.
Switzerland’s Struggles
Switzerland, now 1-2 in the tournament, faced a second consecutive loss after being shut out again. They previously fell 4-0 to Canada. Andrea Braendli, the Swiss goaltender, displayed remarkable agility, saving 45 shots, with 35 saves made in the first two periods alone.
Other Notable Matches
In a separate match, the Canadian team, despite a win against Czechia, experienced injury concerns as their captain, Marie-Philip Poulin, was sidelined after the first period.
In an inspiring twist, the host nation, Italy, advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time after winning 3-2 against Japan. This victory was particularly significant as it came during their second Olympic appearance, having previously finished last in 2006. Goalie Gabriella Durante celebrated the historic win as a dream come true for the team and an inspiration for young female hockey players in Italy.
Quarterfinals Overview
- Italy: 3-2 win over Japan
- Germany: 2-1 win in overtime against France
- Sweden: 3-0 record advancing to quarterfinals
Japan and France were eliminated from the tournament, finishing without a win. Italy’s Matilde Fantin scored the opening two goals in their match, steering her team toward victory.
As the Olympic Women’s Hockey Tournament progresses, anticipation surrounds the upcoming matches, especially the clash between the U.S. team and their rival Canada, marking a critical point in the preliminary round.
