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USA finally wins gold in women’s hockey, beats Canada in shootout thriller

By Dave Stevenson

GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 22: Gold medal winners the United States celebrate during the victory ceremony after defeating Canada in a shootout in the Women's Gold Medal Game on day thirteen of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre on February 22, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 22: Gold medal winners the United States celebrate during the victory ceremony after defeating Canada in a shootout in the Women's Gold Medal Game on day thirteen of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre on February 22, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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For the first time since 1998, Team USA has a gold medal in Olympics women’s hockey.

It had been a while since Team USA has won a gold medal in Olympics women’s hockey. However, that all changed on Wednesday, Feb. 21. Team USA prevented Canada from winning their fifth straight gold medal, topping them 3-2 in a shootout.

They won their first gold medal since 1998, the first time women’s hockey was an Olympic sport. This was truly a game for the ages, just as everyone anticipated. With a lot on the line, Team USA got some very clutch performances, especially from goaltender Maddie Rooney.

Hilary Knight got the lone first period goal, a power-play strike with under 30 seconds left. However, Canada was able to get two second period goals. The first came from Haley Irwin and the second came from Marie-Philip Poulin. Blayre Turnbull picked up the assist on the first while Meghan Agosta and Melodie Daoust picked up assists on the second.

Trailing 2-1 going into the final 20 minutes, Team USA was able to get it together. Monique Lamoureux-Morando, who has been one of their best players all tournament, got a goal to tie things up with just under 13 minutes left in the game. During the game, American outshot Canada 41 to 31.

In the shootout, Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson iced the game in the 13th round with a goal. This is truly one of the greatest moments in women’s hockey history. Also, easily one of the best hockey games ever played, women’s or men’s.

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Rooney was fantastic in net for Team USA. She bounced back from a less than ideal second period to make some huge stops in the third period and in overtime. Team USA got a bit of flack sticking with her after the preliminary round, but she rewarded them for their faith in her. Canada put forward an outstanding effort and should be applauded. They lost gracefully, like the champions they are.

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