MILAN — It ranks among the fiercest rivalries in sports: Canada versus the United States in women’s hockey.
Take a look at the tight competition: Canada leads with 25 victories to the U.S.’s 23 and has netted just two more goals overall (135-133). No other nation has claimed Olympic or world championship gold.
This Tuesday, the North American giants clash for the first time in these Olympics, in a preliminary-round match that likely serves as a precursor to the gold medal game on Feb. 19. The rest of the world hasn’t quite caught up to these teams, although players have noted that Czechia is the most improved nation since the last Olympic cycle.
If you’re just tuning in to the tournament, the pace, skill, and physicality of women’s hockey are at an all-time high. This is largely due to the rise of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), which has provided a competitive environment for athletes leading up to this tournament, alongside the sport’s growing popularity.
although Canada winning at the Beijing Olympics in 2022 and boasting a 5-2 lead in gold medals, the U.S. is seen as the frontrunner in Milan. The Americans swept a four-game Rivalry Series in the lead-up to the Olympics, outscoring Canada 24-7.
Both teams are entering this matchup after playing back-to-back games.
“It’s a massive game coming up,” said U.S. defenseman Caroline Harvey. “It’s going to be intense; one you won’t want to miss.”
How has each team looked early in the Olympics?
Both teams remain undefeated and are significantly outscoring their opponents. (The U.S. holds a 15-1 edge; Canada’s is 9-1).
Starting with Canada, the team faced a delayed start as their opening game was postponed due to a norovirus outbreak among the Finland team. Canada has played one fewer game than the U.S., with the Finland match rescheduled for Thursday. Their roster is more seasoned than that of the United States, featuring 16 players from the dominant 2022 Olympic squad, including captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who is still widely regarded as the best player in the world.
While Canada shut out Switzerland 4-0 in its opening match, there were executional shortcomings, as the game could have resulted in an even larger margin given the 55-6 shot differential. Three of the goals came on power plays. The Canadians then emphatically topped Czechia with a 5-1 victory on Monday.
Team USA features a mix of experienced players, notably Hilary Knight making her fifth Olympic appearance, alongside emerging talents. The U.S. is considered a deeper and more versatile team. Coach John Wroblewski emphasizes the importance of rolling four lines, allowing for a well-rounded offensive approach.
In their opening 5-1 victory over Czechia, Hayley Scamurra, the 13th forward with under seven minutes of ice time, shone with two goals. Nine different players have already found the net, showcasing contributions from veterans (Knight has two goals and is one shy of becoming the all-time Olympic leader for the U.S.) and college players like Joy Dunne from Ohio State (four points in two games).
Meanwhile, goalie Aerin Frankel has conceded just one goal on 25 shots; she rested during Monday’s 5-0 win against Switzerland to prepare for the back-to-back situation. The Americans also encountered execution challenges against Switzerland, delaying their offensive breakthrough until the third period.
Player for each team who has impressed the most so far
Expect the upcoming PWHL draft class to be star-studded, and defenseman Caroline Harvey may very well emerge as the No. 1 pick. The 23-year-old Wisconsin standout, participating in her second Olympics, is an exceptional skater and frequently influences the game. Harvey currently leads the Americans in ice time, contributing one goal and three assists.
While Sarah Fillier and Daryl Watts are among Canada’s most talked-about players, Julia Gosling from the PWHL Seattle team is leading the pack with three goals. Gosling is a key figure in Canada’s potent power play, which operates at a successful 5-for-9 (55%).
Biggest question for each team?
For Canada, the most pressing concern is the health of Poulin, their captain. She suffered an injury in the first period of Monday’s match after taking a significant hit from Czechia’s Kristyna Kaltounková, a breakout star in the PWHL this season. It looks like a lower-body issue.
On the other side, the Americans are aware of their potential for dominance. PWHL Minnesota star Taylor Heise remarked on Monday: “The moment we arrived here, we had the confidence knowing we’re a great team. Whatever it takes, we’re here to win.”
yet, they may be allowing too many scoring chances defensively, particularly during odd-man rushes. Their defensemen tend to pinch, creating openings for opponents. Backup goaltender Gwyneth Philips had to perform at her best to secure a 20-save shutout against Switzerland.
Key player for each team in this game?
While it may seem unfair to highlight two players from one team, Team USA’s dynamic duo of Heise and Abbey Murphy have frequently delivered impressive offensive displays. though they’ve combined for two goals, they possess another level of play they can reach.
For Canada, goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens enters the Games on a hot streak in the PWHL, boasting a .957 save percentage and a 0.99 goals-against average in January. The Americans were almost tripped up by stellar performances from the netminders of Finland and Switzerland. A sharp Desbiens has the potential to turn the tide in a game.
