(Beijing) Another chapter in this decades-old rivalry is about to be written at the Beijing Games.
Posted at 10:44 a.m.
The duel between Canada and the United States for the gold medal in women’s hockey on Thursday in China may have been expected, but nothing is predictable when the women of these two countries jump on the ice cream with stick in hands.
“I think this rivalry is unmatched,” said Canadian forward Sarah Nurse.
Canada has reached the final of every women’s hockey tournament since the sport made its Olympic debut in Nagano, Japan in 1998 and has met the United States in the final on every occasion except 2006.
The Americans won the first gold medal in Nagano, but the maple leaf representatives took the next four.
The Americans beat their rivals in the shootout in PyeongChang, South Korea four years ago and regained their crown.
Beyond Olympic competition, Canada and the United States have faced off for gold in all but one World Women’s Hockey Championship final.
The Americans won eight of nine world titles before the Canadians triumphed in overtime in Calgary last summer.
Their story is long and passionate, but the happiness and sorrow of the past don’t count on Thursday.
“I think we know that story, but we’re going to leave with a blank slate,” said Canadian forward Brianne Jenner. We see it as an opportunity to go for the gold medal rather than look at what happened in history. »
Canada’s 2022 team is the most prolific in Olympic Games history.
Canada outscored their opponents 54-8, which was a tournament record. In comparison, the United States led 28-8.
The Americans had more shots on net than the Canadians, 334 to 257. Canada’s players were more effective, however, with a 17.36 to 8.38 percentage.
“We’re at a point right now where we’re going to play offensively,” said Canada’s head coach, Troy Ryan. I hope that’s enough. I think we are doing a good job defensively. We are not going to change our style of play for the moment. »
The Canadians overtook the Americans 4-2 in the preliminary round, securing the top spot in Group A. The United States are aware of what their rivals will bring to the ice.
“We need to play a full game in each zone, slow down the transition, get back, keep our heads moving and be aware,” United States captain Kendall Coyne Schofield said.
The Americans will have to fend for themselves according to forward Brianna Decker, who suffered a knee injury in the first game of the tournament.
Canada forward Mélodie Daoust is back in the lineup. The Maple Leaf’s leading scorer at the last Worlds missed four games in Beijing due to an upper-body injury. She returned to help her team crush Switzerland 10-3 in the semi-finals.
Important matches are often played between the posts.
Ann-Renée Desbiens made 51 saves against the United States in the preliminary round, but she struggled more giving up three times on 13 shots against Switzerland.
The Americans used their three goaltenders in Beijing and they are using this questioning of which of the three will be the starter for the gold medal game to their advantage.
“We have three great options. All three are Olympic-level goaltenders. All three are available,” insisted United States head coach Joel Johnson.
Nicole Hensley, who played at the last Worlds, only played one match in Beijing, against the Russian Olympic Committee. Alex Cavallini participated in three games, including the quarter-finals and the semi-finals. Maddie Rooney stopped 23 pucks against Canada in her second start of the preliminary round.
Heroine of her country in the penalty shootout four years ago, Rooney did not play at the last Worlds due to injury.
Goaltending and responses to stop Canada’s offense will be key to winning the gold medal, according to Johnson.
“I don’t think we’ve played our best yet,” he said. Last time we played Canada, I thought we were pretty good, but we didn’t generate enough chances to score. I can’t wait to face them again and play a similar style of play, but with some tweaks. I’m sure they will do the same. »
A close game decided by a goal, in overtime or in a shootout, is the norm when the Canadian and American women face off for supremacy in women’s hockey.
“We are ready,” concluded Canada’s captain, Marie-Philip Poulin.