by After defeating Sweden in the semifinals round, the United States women’s hockey team has broken an Olympic record for the longest shutout streak in women’s Olympic history, five in a row. The 5-0 shutout has also put the US women in the gold medal finals on Thursday, February 19, at 1:10 p.m. ET. The game can be viewed on USA Network and streamed on Peacock. The semifinal game between Canada and Switzerland on Monday, February 16, at 3:10 p.m. ET will determine whom the US women will face off against in the finals.
Sweden began the game on Monday with an early roughing penalty at 5:09, which the US took advantage of, with Cayla Barnes scoring the first goal at 5:09 in the first period, assisted by Kelly Pannek and Lee Stecklein. Sweden earned another two-minute penalty for boarding at 8:21. The remainder of the first frame went without a goal as the US managed to stay ahead by one.
The second period was full of action from start to finish, beginning with an early tripping penalty awarded to Hayley Scamurra at 6:00. Taylor Heise put the US ahead by two at 9:09 with help from Hannah Bilka and Abbey Murphy. A two-minute interference call was made against Kristen Simms, but Sweden was unable to capitalize on the opportunity.
The United States scored two more back-to-back goals in the second period at 15:12 by Abbey Murphy, assisted by Hannah Bilka and Haley Winn, then again at 16:10 by Kendall Coyne, assisted by Laila Edwards and Megan Keller. Sweden decided to swap goaltender Ebba Svensson for Emma Soderberg after Svensson let in four US goals. Hayley Scamurra did not let a new goalkeeper impact her performance, scoring the fifth and final goal of the game at 17:59 with help from Britta Curl and Tessa Janecke. Before the final intermission, the US was awarded a goalkeeper interference penalty, while Sweden earned a roughing penalty at 18:25.
The final frame was left without a goal from either team. Kristen Simms was given a two-minute cross-checking penalty at 18:34 before the final buzzer. Aerin Frankel was in the net for the United States women on Monday and saved all 23 shots on goal made by Sweden. The US women are confident they will be able to bring home the gold in a few days when they play in the finals.
Image sourced via Google Images.
