MILAN — In Milan, a prominent sports rivalry is set to unfold: the women’s hockey match between Canada and the United States.
The historical statistics highlight the intensity of their rivalry: Canada marginally leads in total victories (25-23) and has a slight advantage in goals scored against the U.S. (135-133), as reported by the AP. Gold medals at the Olympic or World Championship level have been exclusively claimed by these two nations.
This Tuesday marks the initial encounter between these dominant North American teams at the current Olympics, a preliminary match likely foreshadowing the gold medal contest on February 19. Other national teams generally trail these two, though some athletes have noted Czechia’s significant progress since the last Olympic period.
For new viewers of the competition, the level of speed, talent, and physical play in women’s hockey is unprecedented. This escalation is largely attributable to the establishment of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), which serves as a rigorous preparation platform for this tournament, aligning with the sport’s ongoing expansion.
Despite Canada’s victory at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and their 5-2 lead in gold medals, the U.S. team is perceived as the frontrunner in Milan. The American squad recently dominated a four-game Rivalry Series prior to the Olympics, besting Canada with a 24-7 goal differential.
Both national teams are playing this match on consecutive days.
U.S. defender Caroline Harvey commented, “This upcoming game is incredibly significant. It promises to be fiercely competitive and an unmissable event.”
Initial Olympic Performances of Each Team
Both squads remain unbeaten and have significantly surpassed their adversaries in scoring (the U.S. leads 15-1; Canada holds a 9-1 advantage).
Beginning with Canada, their tournament entry was postponed when their first match was rescheduled due to a norovirus incident affecting the Finland team. Canada has completed one less game than the U.S., with the Finland fixture now set for Thursday. The Canadian team features more experienced players compared to the United States, with 16 athletes from their victorious 2022 Olympic roster returning. Among them is captain Marie-Philip Poulin, still widely recognized as the globe’s premier player.
While Canada secured a 4-0 shutout against Switzerland in their initial match, certain aspects of their play indicated areas for improvement. Given their 55-6 shot advantage, the victory margin arguably could have been larger. Three of their goals came from power-play opportunities. The Canadian team then decisively defeated Czechia 5-1 on Monday.
The U.S. squad comprises a mix of experienced athletes, notably Hilary Knight participating in her record fifth Olympics for the nation, alongside emerging talents. The American team is thought to possess greater depth and dynamism. Head Coach John Wroblewski has emphasized deploying four lines consistently, a strategy he has successfully implemented to achieve a highly balanced offensive effort.
For instance, during the initial 5-1 triumph against Czechia, Hayley Scamurra, who served as the 13th forward and played under seven minutes, emerged as the top scorer with two goals. Already, nine distinct players have found the back of the net. Both seasoned players (Knight, with two goals, needs just one more to claim the U.S. Olympic scoring record) and collegiate athletes, like Ohio State’s Joy Dunne (contributing four points across two games), have made significant impacts.
Concurrently, goaltender Aerin Frankel has conceded only a single goal from 25 shots faced; Frankel was given a break during Monday’s 5-0 victory against Switzerland to conserve energy for consecutive matches. The American team also faced challenges with their execution against Switzerland, only securing a decisive lead in the final period.
Most Impressive Player from Each Team Thus Far
The upcoming PWHL draft class is anticipated to be rich with talent, and defender Caroline Harvey is a strong contender for the first overall selection. The 23-year-old standout from Wisconsin, participating in her second Olympic Games, demonstrates exceptional skating ability and a ubiquitous presence on the rink. Harvey currently tops the American team in ice time, having recorded one goal and three assists.
While Sarah Fillier and Daryl Watts are often mentioned as Canada’s most talked-about players, Julia Gosling from PWHL Seattle is currently the leading scorer with three goals. Gosling’s performance underscores the Canadian team’s highly effective power play, which has converted 5 out of 9 opportunities (55%).
Primary Concern for Each Squad?
Canada’s primary uncertainty revolves around the fitness of their captain, Poulin. She sustained an injury during the opening period of Monday’s game following a forceful check from Czechia’s Kristyna Kaltounková, a standout performer in the PWHL this season. The injury seemed to affect her lower body.
For the American team, on the other hand, there’s an awareness of their potential for dominance. As PWHL Minnesota standout Taylor Heise remarked on Monday: “From the moment we arrived, we possessed the belief that we are an exceptional team. Whatever the requirements, our objective here is victory.”
However, they potentially concede too many defensive openings, particularly during odd-man rushes. Their defensemen’s tendency to “pinch” frequently generates chances for opposing teams. Reserve netminder Gwyneth Philips needed to perform exceptionally to secure her 20-save shutout against Switzerland.
Crucial Athlete for Each Team in This Match?
Selecting two players from a single team might seem like an unfair advantage, yet for Team USA over recent months, the pair of Heise and Abbey Murphy has frequently captivated audiences and generated offensive plays. Although they have had scoring opportunities — collectively contributing two goals — Heise and Murphy possess an even higher level of performance they can access.
Canada’s critical player is goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens, who enters the Games after a stellar run in the PWHL (boasting a .957 save percentage and a 0.99 goals-against average in January). The American squad almost faced defeat due to exceptional play from the Finnish and Swiss netminders. A highly focused Desbiens possesses the capacity to single-handedly win a match.
