Women's Hockey: Canada/USA Rivalry Back on the Olympic Scene
- Dean Matheos
- Feb 7, 2022
- 2 min read
No surprise as Canada and the US will compete for top spot in their group once again. The rivals are tied at the top of Group A, heading into the final game.
Team USA opened the 2022 Olympics with a 5-2 win against Finland, followed by a 5-0 win against the Russian Olympic Committee and more recently an 8-0 win over Switzerland. Canada on the other hand showed more offensive dominance over the first two games defeating the Swiss 12-1, followed by defeating the Fins 11-1 and concluding with a 6-1 victory over the ROC.
These two teams know each other very well as they constantly find themselves playing for first place. It’s the classic matchup any hockey fan would want. Prior to the Olympic Games Canada and the US were competing in their traditional rivalry series as a tuneup for the Games. However, due to Covid-19, that series was cut short.
Each side has positives coming into the Olympics. Team USA are the defending gold medalists after defeating Canada 3-2 in a shootout. Canada on the other hand is coming off of a gold medal as reigning World Champions as they defeated the US 3-2 in overtime.
At this rate it would seem like many would say that Canada has the advantage coming off the World Championship victory, icing virtually the same lineup despite the concerns over their inexperienced defence. However, there is never a side with a clear upper hand as both teams have implemented fresh faces. Canada has 10 Olympic rookies compared to Team USA’s eight
Both teams are dealing with a significant player out of their lineup due to injuries in the first game. For Canada, Mélodie Daoust is day-to-day after taking a hard check into the boards against the Swiss. Team USA will be without Brianna Decker for the remainder of the Olympics after a gruesome leg injury.
The US won the inaugural Olympic gold medal in 2002. Before their gold in 2018, Canada went on a streak of winning gold four consecutive times.
It’s not the gold medal game yet, but any game between these two teams is bound to be fast-paced, physical and highly entertaining. These are two teams that don’t accept losing to each other regardless of the stakes.
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