Olympic Hockey Update: Gold, Silver & Bronze Edition
The women’s Olympic hockey tournament came to a dramatic end today, both in the bronze medal game and in the gold medal game. In the end it was the Swiss coming back to defeat the Swedes for bronze, and Canada taking down USA once again to take gold. The Swiss were a surprise to everyone, not even expected to win in the playoff round. USA earned its second silver medal in a row – in 2010 Canada defeated USA in the gold medal game in Vancouver. Canada has won the tournament four Olympics in a row now.
Switzerland vs Sweden Recap
Image courtesy of USA Today Sports
The Swedes took control of the game from the get-go, scoring a goal with 6 minutes to go in the open period gave them the lead heading into the first intermission. The score would remain 1-0 throughout most of the second period, until Sweden added a second goal with just over a minute remaining in the period.
The Swiss weren’t defeated though, the comeback started just 1:18 in the third period. Just 5 minutes after the Swiss scored their first goal, they scored a second, and the game was all tied up. With a little over 6 minutes to go in the game, the Swiss scored a third unanswered goal and they took the lead for the first time. Then, with only 1 minute and 7 seconds on the clock, the Swiss scored an insurance goal, one that they would need. Sweden scored 23 seconds later to make the game 4-3, but there wasn’t enough time for the Swedes to put any more pucks in the back of the net. Team Switzerland completed the comeback, scoring 4 goals in the final period! They would win the game 4-3, which earned them the bronze medal.
Canada vs USA Recap
Image courtesy of USA Today Sports
The gold medal rematch from Vancouver in 2010, Canada and USA faced off again in the women’s Olympics gold medal game. In 2010 it was Canada who was victorious, and in 2014, it was Canada again – winner of four Olympics in a row. The first period went by scoreless, and a puck wasn’t put into the back of the net until the second period. Team USA struck first, Meghan Duggan scored 11 minutes and 57 seconds into the second period, and that gave USA a 1-0 lead heading into the final period.
During the third period 3 goals were scored, the Americans were first to put a goal on the scoreboard in the period. Just after the 2 minute mark, Alex Carpenter scored the second goal for USA, putting them ahead 2-0. The Canadians clawed their way back though, Brianne Jenner scored with less than 5 minutes to go in the game to get Canada on the board. Then, with just 55 seconds remaining in the game, Canada tied it up at 2 goals a piece. Marie-Philip Poulin scored the game tying goal that would send the gold medal game into overtime.
Not only was she the hero in regulation, but Poulin was the hero again for Canada in overtime. Scoring the golden goal 8 minutes into the sudden death overtime period. Canada came back from a 2-0 deficit in the third period to tie the game, and in OT they buried USA for the second straight Olympics. Canada skates away from the tournament with gold medal in hand, and USA with the silver medal.
The medal round for the women’s Olympics hockey tournament was nothing short of exciting. One unexpected medalist, and two comeback victories – one couldn’t ask for a better day of hockey.
Tomorrow the men’s tournament continues on, the USA men’s team looks to have their revenge against Canada, and Finland/Sweden square off in the other semifinal match-up. First puck drop is scheduled for 4:00 PM local Sochi time, 7:00 AM EST, Sweden vs Finland. USA vs Canada take to the ice at 9:00 PM local Sochi time, noon EST.