Seems like just a few minutes ago that I was writing the wrapup post in my head. “Good learning experience for this young US team,” I was thinking. “They’ll use this as a stepping stone for a possible world championship or Olympic gold down the line.”
Apparently, that time is now.
The youngsters made plenty of mistakes in this final. But they put Canada under pressure throughout, and Hilary Knight was there to turn the tide late in the game.
Canada’s streak of three straight major championships ends in an instant. And this great rivalry has a new chapter.
Thanks for following along tonight. I hear there are some more hockey games coming up in the next few weeks …
More awards …
Huh.
Sarah Fillier of Canada?
Yeah, she had seven goals on the tournament, but … not Knight? Or Harvey?
The sequence that turned a 3-3 game, in which you’d still have bet on Canada to win, into a 6-3 US win.
The list ….
What a stunner. This young US team outscores Canada 4-0 in the third period, with three of those goals coming in a 72-second span starting with 3:10 left.
Of all the world championships the US women have won, this might be the least likely.
Cayla Barnes flips the puck toward the net, and it’s going .. going … Claire Thompson is chasing … and it’s over the line.
What has happened here? You wouldn’t have expected this score a few minutes ago, let alone at the beginning of the third period.
EMPTY NET! Canada 3-5 US, 2:15
Canada calls timeout and then pulls Desbiens.
You’d have to say it wasn’t her best game. Five goals on 21 shots, and she’d probably like another shot at a couple of those.
And now it’s 101 …
Passing the torch … sort of. In reverse, essentially.
Caroline Harvey smashes the puck from near the blue line, and Hilary Knight gets her stick up to deflect it into the net.
After some consternation from the Canadian bench but not a full-fledged challenge, the goal stands. That’s a hat trick for Knight.
Sometimes, great players just know it’s time to make that play. Taylor Heise holds the puck out to one side. Hilary Knight, standing dead center, taps her stick on the ice, looking for the pass. She gets it and rips it. US lead.
1:19 left on the 5-on-4 power play.
Canada 3-3 US, 3:52, 3rd period
Caroline Harvey takes a shot, which is probably the best strategy for the anemic US power play at the moment.
And … Canada repeats the key US mistake of the first period! Claire Thompson flips the puck into the stands, and it’s a delay of game penalty.
That’ll be a 5-on-3 power play for 49 seconds, then the rest of the 5-on-4.
Canada 3-3 US, 5:03, 3rd period
Jenner swipes at the puck and gets Abbey Murphy instead. Barely. If any. But it’s a US power play – not that it’s been strong so far in this game.
Canada has outshot the US 27-18.
Caroline Harvey is just 20 years old, but she has moved into a tie for the scoring lead (under hockey scoring-leader rules – goals and assists count the same) with this shot. That’s her fourth goal to go with nine assists. Only teammate Taylor Heise has more assists than that, with 10.
Canada 3-3 US, 8:27, 3rd period
The Canadian forecheck pins the US defenders back. That really shouldn’t happen on your own power play. The US has done very little with the player advantage in this final.
Canada 3-3 US, 9:27, 3rd period
A good clearance gives Canada a chance to change, much to the relief of Renata Fast, who had lost her stick.
Canada 3-3 US, 10:27, 3rd period
Rattray whacks the stick out of Knight’s hands, and the US gets a power play.
Canada 3-3 US, 11:05, 3rd period
Frankel with the absolute robbery on Jenner, who was on her doorstep looking for the hat trick. The US goalie is making a difference now.
Canada 3-3 US, 11:30, 3rd period
Good save from Frankel on Sarah Fillier.
And give credit to the refs for being consistent – there’s no call on a possible penalty near the boards. That would’ve given Canada a 5-on-3. But if they’re not giving it for the Maltais slam in the second period, they’re not giving it there.
And the US gets the penalty kill. Game is nicely poised here.
Canada 3-3 US, 13:46, 3rd period
And just like that, a completely unnecessary trip by Cayla Barnes, and Canada is back on the power play.
Caroline Harvey, the youngest player on the team in the last Olympics, rips one from way outside, and out of nothing, we’re tied.
Canada 3-2 US, 14:50, 3rd period
The referees have been letting play continue when the puck is stuck along the boards. We’ll see if they feel the same way after one of their number is stuck in the scrum.
CROSSBAR! Canada 3-2 US, 16:24, 3rd period
A resounding “ding” provides some brief relief for the US on a shot by Jamie Lee Rattray. Another 30 seconds, and the US gets a much-needed penalty kill.
Canada 3-2 US, 18:26, 3rd period
Power play for Canada. A lot of sloppy contact in the middle of the rink, and the refs decide Hayley Scamurra took it too far. Two minutes for tripping.
Canada 3-2 US, 19:00, 3rd period
We’re off, and the Canadians again look like the livelier side.
The score reflects the balance of play pretty well. The US is playing hard. Canada is playing smart.
We’ll see if the US shakes off the non-call on the Emma Maltais hit on Haley Winn. That seemed to sap the underdog’s energy.
Canada 3-2 US, 0:51, 2nd period
That’s twice in a few minutes that the Canadian forecheck has given Lee Stecklein and Savannah Harmon some uncomfortable moments deep in their own zone. That’s disconcerting if you’re looking for the US to slam the door and keep the lead at one.
Canada 3-2 US, 1:55, 2nd period
Sometimes, a hockey team reacts to a big hit on one of its players with a big surge in intensity. That has not happened here. The US has plenty of possession but is playing as if they’ve shifted down a gear or two.
And as I say that, the college line creates a nice chance, with Heise and Janecke combining.
Canada 3-2 US, 5:09, 2nd period
If you like outstanding defensive plays by attacking players, you’ll love Poulin’s deft move to skate back, catch up with Knight and sneak her stick past to take the puck away.
If you like hard checks … er, “collisions,” as the commentators say … you’ll like what Emma Maltais just did to fellow collegian Haley Winn. That’s a borderline boarding penalty in the NHL, but apparently not here. Hannah Bilka has a few words for the Canadian Buckeye.
And Jenner’s brace …
followed by …
Catching up on highlights … here’s Knight’s equalizer:
Canada 3-2 US, 7:23, 2nd period
Slightly more than halfway through the game, and this isn’t a surprise – Canadian savvy 3, US speed 2.
Shots are now 18-13 for Canada, though several shots came on the 5-on-3 power play in the first period from which the US is still digging out.
