Women's Gold Medal recap

The Olympic Women's hockey tournament was full of surprises and exciting moments, culminating in the United States defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime.

Heading into the much-anticipated seventh gold medal game between the two nations, an offensive game was expected. Previously in the tournament, the U.S. beat Canada 5-0 with Canadian starting goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens in net. Still, the Canadians were missing a crucial player in that game who would be present for the final.

Marie-Phillip Poulin returned in time to try to take revenge against the Americans. Given her history at the Olympics, especially against Team USA when playing for gold, many thought she would be the difference maker for Canada.

Poulin would be held off the scoresheet entirely. It quickly became evident that the game would be won on defense. Throughout the first period, neither team scored, and both goalies looked unbeatable. Most offensive possessions went one-and-done due to aggressive defending and good defensive positioning.

Joy Dunne went to the box for tripping late in the first period, but the Americans were able to kill it off thanks to back-to-back saves from Aerin Frankel and physical play to win the puck on the boards and clear the zone.

Early in the second period, a clearing attempt turned into a shorthanded rush, leading to a goal for Canada. The centering pass forced Frankel into a slide, but instead of one-timing the puck, Kristin O'Neill deked to the right and had an open net. This goal shocked all who were watching, as it ended Team USA’s Olympic record shutout streak.

Late in the third period, Britta Curl-Salemme shoved Erin Ambrose into the boards. Originally, a major penalty was called, which would have almost certainly been the end for Team USA. After review, it was downgraded to a minor, and the Americans completed a crucial penalty kill, during which Frankel made more vital saves.

Coach John Wrobleski made the aggressive call to pull Frankel for the extra skater with over two minutes left, but the six-on-five unit operated perfectly. They never let the puck out of the zone, and Laila Edwards’ blast from the point was tipped in by Hillary Knight after just 19 seconds with the advantage.

It seemed fitting that Knight scored the tying goal in what could be her last Olympic game. The captain wouldn't let her team go down without a fight and got it done with the goalie pulled. The goal made her the all-time leader for both goals and points in Olympic Women’s hockey.

Knight was aided by Tessa Jannecke standing at the post, which forced Ella Shelton to guard her instead of Knight, giving the captain enough room to execute the deflection.

Early in overtime, Canada had what looked to be a breakaway, until Abbey Murphy performed one of the greatest back checks in the history of hockey, sprinting down the ice to disrupt the rush and keep Team USA alive.

A few minutes later, Megan Keller made a break from her defensive position while Canada was in the midst of a line change. She received a stretch pass from Taylor Heise at the Canada blue line, juked around the defender and put it right over the pad of Desbiens to win gold for the U.S. Earlier in the game, Keller had failed to stop a centering pass that resulted in Canada’s goal. Safe to say she made up for it.

Team USA captured its third gold medal in Women’s hockey, with veterans shining and showing their leadership and young, up-and-coming players making a difference. They would finish the tournament undefeated while outscoring their opponents 33-2.

Gabe Eisenberg is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email gfe5080@psu.edu