Canada vs. USA Women's Olympic Hockey Score: Live Updates, Results
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Frank Doyle
If you’re looking for the men’s semifinal Canada vs. USA Olympic live blog, head over here.
Nothing has come easy for either of Canada’s Sochi 2014 Olympic Hockey teams, but if there’s anything the women’s squad has going for it today in the gold medal game, it’s experience.
Hayley Wickenheiser, Carolina Ouellette, Jayna Hefford – these are names that have made women’s hockey what it is today in Canada. The question today is whether youth or experience will win the gold medal.
Not to say Team USA doesn’t have veterans too, but that club is led by a new breed of American players. Amanda Kessel might be the best female player in the world right now and her linemates Brianna Decker and Kendall Coyne are extremely dangerous as well.
Shutting that line down is on the top of Kevin Dineen’s whiteboard right now. If he can do that and his team stays disciplined, Team Canada has a great shot at winning its fourth consecutive gold medal.
Team Canada opened as a +113 underdog to the US, but that line has moved. Canada is now at -106 while Team USA sits at -118. The total is holding at 5.5.
Sports Interaction links of note:
Sports Interaction on Twitter here.
Sochi interactive calendar in Eastern Standard time here.
Pregame:
– The last time we saw Team Canada, they escaped with a totally underwhelming win over Switzerland in the semifinals. They jumped out of the gate with a great first period and then coasted through the second, took stupid penalties in the third, and generally looked like they were going through the motions. It goes without saying that won’t cut it today.
– There was some controversy about who would get the call in Canada’s net today, but it looks like it’s going to be Shannon Szabados. Labonte downed USA in the first meeting between these two teams a week ago, but I like this call. Szabados was great against the Swiss and has the look of a goalie who could steal one for you. We may need just that.
— Watch for Wickenheiser’s line to get the start lining up against Kessel’s line and get used to it. Hayley and Co. blanketed Kessel in the prelims. That’s the big line matchup key
Period 1
-Mark Lee is calling the action today, which is even worse than Jim Hughson. Cassie Campbell-Pascal’s colour commentary is the only thing that’s keeping you from watching this on mute.
-Hillary Knight, should have mentioned her earlier in the pregame as well. She is another major scoring threat for Team USA.
-Wickenheiser takes a puck to the ear. That hurts like you can’t believe. Her ears will be ringing until the first intermission buzzer, though not that it’s going to slow down the QUEEN OF CANADIAN HOCKEY.
– Bodychecking penalty there against Canada. Team USA has the best PP in the tournament, so hold onto your hats.
– Szabados just made a ridiculous glove save on a slapper from the slot. She’s on her game. There’s another big pad save. Deep breaths, friends.
– Not the best PK from Canada there but the result is all that matters – no Yank goals. That should give Canada a boost on the bench and hopefully they can settle into a good rhythm now. They need to get the puck deep and spend some time in the US zone.
-Another penalty coming up to Canada. Just as an aside here, but why isn’t there checking in women’s hockey? Frank Doyle, champion of equality.
– More amazing Szabados saves. (That’s more fun to write than it is to say aloud.) There’s the make-up call to even it up. Canada will get a short PP at the end of this.
– Better push back from Canada now. These two hockey superpowers are just trading haymakers. First one to hit the canvas is in major trouble. Momentum means everything in this type of situation.
-This first period is a perfect testament to why women’s hockey belongs in the Olympics. Watchorn takes her second penalty of the period. Remember the talk of discipline? Canada can’t keep this up or USA is going to break through. Team USA is getting clear looks on this power play and it’s only a matter of time before they snipe one if this continues.
-Penalty to USA to even it up again. This is Canada’s chance to steal a lead before the intermission. Some good chances but it looks like we’ll head into the break scoreless. Szabados easily the game’s first star to this point.
First Period Summary: Canada 0, USA 0.
I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating: Team Canada and Team USA give other nations something to strive for in women’s hockey and their dominance shouldn’t be seen in a negative light. The gap is narrowing between these teams and the rest of the world and that’s a good thing. For right now though, don’t tell me women’s hockey doesn’t belong in the Olympics after that period of play. Both teams are going to battle this one out to the bitter, inconsolable end and we’re all lucky to witness it.
Period 2
-Heading into the second period, USA is around -133 to win in regulation in live betting. Canada is -105.
– Better jump from Canada at the beginning of this period. USA is releasing the hounds on the forecheck, so Canada will have to move the puck from behind the net to the wings quickly and chip the puck from there. There may not be much time do anything else.
– That type of breakout is far from ideal, but it will work. The danger in that strategy is neutral zone turnovers against the quick US forwards.
– Seriously enjoying the animosity between these teams. IT’S COOL TO HATE. Kick rocks, Team USA.
– Team Canada power play coming up. Watch for Wickenheiser setting up for the one-timer. Also love Spooner’s game so far. The longer this game stays scoreless, the more likely it’s going to be a greasy rebound goal that breaks the ice.
– Team USA starting to feel the pressure a bit. A couple of icings lately and a few signs that frustration is mounting. Canada is slowing them down in the neutral zone. If they can force a turnover there, watch out. Canada has already had a couple of near breakaways.
– Great composure from Canada’s blue line the last few minutes, while Team USA isn’t forechecking as hard right now.
– There are open-ice hits not getting penalty calls. Not that I’m complaining but it’d be good to be consistent.
– Goal Team USA. 1-0. That was just a beauty shot top shelf by Meghan Duggan over the glove. Szabados didn’t see it through the screen.
-Canada goes back on the PP after a too many men penalty. Basically a shooting gallery for Canada but they can’t get the puck through. Another penalty coming up on the US, so a major chance for Canada to even it up. About 30 seconds of 5-on-3 play.
– Szabados makes another big stop on a shorthanded effort. Canada missed out on a big chance there and watch Team USA come at them hard now. Time ticking away in the second.
Second Period Summary: USA 1, Canada 0.
Canada turned the tables on the US in the second, but it was Team USA that got on the board first. Canada had a good edge in scoring chances and outshot US 8-5 in the second while also missing the net on a pile of other efforts. Right now, Canada has 17 shots to USA’s six, but they can’t keep missing the net in the third. Everything has to be on goal with traffic in front because Vetter isn’t going to give up a soft one.
Period 3
-Team USA now a big -556 favorite to win in live betting. Canada’s a +330 underdog.
– Watchorn takes her THIRD penalty of the game moments into the final period. She had better get used to sitting on the bench because she shouldn’t see the ice again.
-2-0 Team USA. Alex Carpenter converts on a deflection from the side of the net while on the power play. No chance for Szabados again.
-Canada pushes back on the next shift but are being kept to the perimeter by the USA defence. These rushes aren’t amounting to much. Canada needs to get to the front of the net. And NOW.
-USA isn’t screwing around with this lead. If there’s nothing there, they are content to just ice the puck and take their chances with defensive zone faceoffs. So far it’s working.
-Team Canada still looks like it has lots left in the tank, but time is a factor now. Need a goal within the next five minutes to make a game of this. This is where Canada’s experience needs to come through.
– USA gaining confidence as the seconds tick by. They’re dropping three back now, but still forechecking with one or two, depending on the situation.
– Dineen is throwing his lines in a blender now. Hopefully it’s not too late at this point, but it’s a tough decision to stick with the lines you’ve had success with in a gold medal game.
– Last push coming for Canada. At this point it would probably have to be murder on ice to earn a power play, so don’t count on that.
– GOAL CANADA. 2-1 now for the USA. Looks like it took a weird bounce off Brianne Jenner’s shot. First point in the tournament for her. Now we’re in for a crazy finish.
– Canada’s buzzing with chances searching for the equalizer. Timeout should be coming soon.
– Goalie coming out with 90 seconds left.
– Timeout. Faceoff coming in the US zone. 1:14 left on the clock.
– Five forwards and one D for Canada.
-GOOOOOOOAL CANADA!
– Marie-Philip Poulin ties the game for Canada.
Third Period Summary
– Just when you thought it was over, Canada’s heart comes through. First it was Jenner getting a bounce that finds its way into the net. Then Poulin ties it with 54 seconds left on a patient play cutting to the net. Now, who knows? Canada has all the momentum and Team USA is reeling. Don’t be surprised if this one ends quickly. I have the QUEEN OF CANADIAN HOCKEY, Hayley Wickenheiser scoring the OT winner.
Overtime:
– Canada somehow survives a flurry from USA to start the period. Szabados is playing out of her mind.
– It’s all about just hanging in there for the first five minutes, then everything will settle down a bit. If we don’t see a goal before then, it could be a long overtime or worse… shootout.
– Remember when I said this result will leave one team inconsolable. What’s worse than inconsolable.
– Spooner driving the puck to the net. Dineen should keep throwing her over the boards to use her speed paired with Hayley.
– Pileup at the side of the Canadian net and USA is going on the power play. Team USA takes a time out. Ward for crosschecking.
– Team USA penalty evens it up. Slashing call on Lamoureaux so it’ll be 3-on-3.
— Poulin finishes it after a great passing play by Canada. Hayley Wickenheiser proving the screen in front.
Game Summary: Canada 3, USA 2.
Well that’s it. In a game where it’s truly terrible there has to be a loser, we won with a tremendous display of heart. I have no other words.
Back at it tomorrow for Canada vs. USA Part II.