U.S. Women Dominate Canada in Olympic Group Match

The U.S. women’s hockey team achieved a stunning victory over Canada, winning 5-0 during Olympic group play on Tuesday. This game marked a historic moment, as it set the record for the largest margin of victory in a Canada-USA women’s hockey game at the Olympics. The win also extended the U.S. win streak over Canada to seven consecutive games.

Historic Shutout and Winning Streak

Prior to this match, Canada had never experienced a shutout at the Olympics. This defeat also represented Canada’s first round-robin loss since women’s hockey became an Olympic event in 1998. Following the victory, the United States topped Group A and secured a spot in the quarterfinals, where they will face Italy. Meanwhile, Canada will compete against Finland in their final round-robin game.

Key Player Absences and Performance

Canada was without their captain, Marie-Philip Poulin, who sustained a lower-body injury earlier in the tournament. Head coach Troy Ryan stated that Poulin would be evaluated further and is unlikely to play against Finland, although he remains “optimistic” about her return in the tournament.

• Scoring Highlights:
  • Caroline Harvey scored the first goal before the five-minute mark.
  • Hilary Knight tied Jenny Potter’s Olympic scoring record, bringing her total to 32 points.
  • Hannah Bilka contributed significantly with two goals.
  • Kirsten Simms and Laila Edwards also added to the score.
  • Abbey Murphy provided three assists and drew four penalties.

Game Stats

Goaltender Aerin Frankel delivered an impressive performance, making 20 saves and securing the shutout against Canada. In contrast, Ann-Renee Desbiens, who had been undefeated in her Olympic career, was replaced after conceding five goals with just over eight minutes remaining.

In conclusion, this dominant performance by the U.S. women’s hockey team not only emphasizes their strength in the tournament but also marks a significant moment in Olympic history against their longstanding rival Canada.