After 20 years, U.S. women managed to capture Olympic gold in hockey. At the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. U.S. women’s hockey team faced Canada in a dramatic final game of the tournament and ended up with a win.
When team USA entered the second half of the third period trailing by a goal, it all looked too familiar. They have faced Canada in the finals on two previous Olympics in Vancouver and Sochi and both times failed to overcome it, finishing with a silver medal. Then, Monique Lamoureux came through when it mattered the most and managed to score a goal to tie the game and force the overtime. Even when Canada had a 4-3 advantage due to penalty with 1:35 to play, U.S. women remained composed and the game was eventually settled by a shootout which team USA won 3-2.
“It is everything for our country,” – said team’s coach Robb Stauber after the game. “I can’t tell you how happy I am for our players. We love them, it is unreal. I am just so thankful for the outcome. It was a thrilling final, it was unreal.“
“I can’t put it into words” – added defenseman Kacey Bellamy. “This whole year is for everyone that came before us. This is for [former USA team captain] Julie Chu and for all our families at home, the schools that we went to, everyone supporting us. It is a feeling I have never experienced.“
U.S. Women’s hockey team won their last Olympic gold medal in 1998 with a 3-1 win over Canada at the Winter Games held in Nagano, Japan. Then in 2002, they have faced Canada again in Salt Lake City and lost. At 2006 Turin Olympic Games, U.S. women managed to win a bronze medal, after being defeated by Sweden. After silver medals in Vancouver and Sochi, they have definitely deserved gold this time.
