Team Canada vs. Switzerland Olympic Women's Hockey: Live Score, Updates
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Frank Doyle
Team USA did its part to set the stage for another dramatic gold medal matchup, now Canada needs to do the same and take care of business against Switzerland.
Canada cruised through the preliminary games with three wins, outscoring its opposition 11-2. The Canucks took care of the Swiss 5-0 in the tournament opener, survived a scare from a Finland in a 3-0 and then squeaked by the US 3-2.
Now, Canada is set as a huge -10000 favorite to beat Switzerland to set up another Canada-USA classic for the gold medal.
Sports Interaction links of note:
Sports Interaction on Twitter here.
Sochi interactive calendar in Eastern Standard time here.
Pregame:
– All those yahoos talking about taking women’s hockey out of the Olympics need to go kick rocks. The skill in female puck has never been better and we’re just beginning to see other nations make major strides in catching up with Canada and the US.
– Just look at the Swiss. They dropped the hometown Russians 2-0 to get to this game. Sweden is another country making some noise. Now’s not the time to rip everything apart. Yes, Canada and the US are still powerhouses in women’s hockey, but so what? Doesn’t that just give other nations something to strive for? I know this is a hot-button issue but what do you folks think?
– Right now we’re seeing 76 percent of our action coming in on Switzerland to cover the 6.5-goal puckline. Well I’ll be.
Period 1
– Canada starting the big No. 3 line. Yes. So Canada. Jenner stopped on a breakaway less than two minutes in.
– Two sets of twins on the Swiss team? I like them better already.
– No doubt that Canada is a strong-skating team, but that’s one area where Team USA has an edge over them. Canada makes that up in strength, pure will and heart, of course.
– Even though Shannon Szabados hasn’t had much work in the Canada goal, she’s solid. There were a few smelly turnovers in Canada’s end there and she didn’t flinch.
– GOAL CANADA. Natalie Spooner swings the puck all the way around the rink before zipping a wrister top cheese. Unassisted about eight minutes into the game. Check that- Hayley Wickenheiser, Queen of Canadian Hockey, credited with a helper on the first goal.
– 10 second 5-on-3 coming up for Canada. You should probably expect a goal in the next 60 seconds.
– FRANK DOYLE, PROPHET.
– First a no-goal because of a Canada woman in the crease (stupid rule) but Spooner gets her second in front from Wickenheiser again.
– I CAN BARELY KEEP UP HERE. 3-0 Canada now. Daoust from the side of the net on a jam play. Swiss take a time out.
– So, what are you doing say Thursday at noon? Right here with me for Canada-USA’s battle for gold? Super.
– Bit of a hold up here after a Canadian player collided with a USA ref. Guess who won that exchange?
First Period Summary: Canada 3, Switzerland 0.
– The big lead after 20 minutes is great and all, but Canada has work to do. The Canucks have been disjointed trying to gain the blue line. I lost track of how many times they went offside and there were problems in the defensive zone as well. If they were playing USA today, they could have easily had to pick the puck out of their net a couple of times. Let’s see if they can show a more polished attack in the second and clean up the issues in their own end.
Period 2
– Canada heading back to the PP one minute into the second period. Team USA will have to stay out of the box because Canada looks lethal with the man advantage. A couple of good chances but no more goals – YET. Canucks take a penalty of their own. Here comes the Swiss PP.
– 3-1 Canada. 5-on-3 for the Swiss and they score. Whoever scored it looked like she just won the gold medal by herself with that celebration. That should serve as a wake-up call for Canada. Ugly breakdown in the defensive end even though it looked like Canada’s goalie had it covered.
– Getting a little chippy out there. One of the Swiss Benz twins is heading to the penalty box. Canada really buzzing on that PP with Wickenheiser working on the side boards. She’s been one of Canada’s best players again tonight, as you’d expect.
– Aps runs Benz in the corner and Benz is slow to get up. Swiss PP coming up for the bodychecking minor. Shannon Szabados makes a huge glove save in front to preserve the two-goal lead.
Second Period Summary: Canada 3, Switzerland 1.
Swiss goaltender Florence Schelling is keeping her team in the game, but Canada needs to be MUCH better than this. Switzerland has Canada off its game with some chippy play. While the Canadians continue to attack, they need to fill the net in this game. Goals won’t come easy against the USA and they need as much confidence as possible. This was not the period coach Kevin Dineen was looking for.
Period 3
– So a two-goal game heading into the third. Nope. Women’s hockey doesn’t belong at the Olympics at all. No way.
– Wickenheiser is 84 percent in the faceoff circle tonight.
– Heford with a stupid obstruction penalty in the offensive zone. Seriously, if they pull this kind of game against the USA it’s going to a blowout loss and a silver medal. Szabados saving the bacon between the pipes during this PK.
– If Canada had any fear of losing this game, I’m sure they would have brought a better effort here. I don’t care Wickenheiser isn’t the captain anymore, she’ll have words for the rest of these girls in the dressing room when this one’s done.
– 4-1. Canada gets a little bit of breathing room on a great individual effort from Agosta. That could be reviewed. She basically ran over the Swiss goalie.
– NO GOAL. Still 3-1 after it was ruled that Schelling was steamrolled, which is completely true.
– More pressure coming from Switzerland. The longer this one stays 3-1, the more confidence the Swiss gain. Women’s hockey just isn’t competitive enough, folks.
– Six minutes left and a berth in the gold medal game is by no means a sure thing. That 6.5 puckline looks pretty good right now.
– Schelling has faced 48 shots, but she’s starting to inch out of her net a little too fast lately. Totally cheating. Watch for Canada to fake on a point-blank shot and deke or find an open Canuck. Another breakaway save by Schelling. Canada needs to be more patient.
Game Summary: Canada 3, Switzerland 1
Canada put this game in cruise control after the first period and barely got out with a win. Schelling was tremendous in the Swiss goal, but Canada had more than enough chances to put this game away. On the plus side, there is no shortage of “teaching tools” for coach Kevin Dineen before Thursday’s gold medal game. Wouldn’t be surprised to see the US open as a small favorite.
We’ll see you back here for another totally bias live blog. Thanks for following along.