by The United States women’s ice hockey team is one step closer to gold after their fourth consecutive shutout against Italy in the quarterfinals. The women will face off against Sweden in the semifinals and hope to keep the momentum going. The puck will drop for the semifinal game on Monday, February 16, at 10:40 a.m. ET and can be viewed on NBC or streamed on Peacock.
Friday, February 13, brought nothing but good fortune for the US women, who shut out Italy 6-0. Italy opened the first period with a two-minute illegal hit penalty at 3:09, but the US was unable to score on the advantage. Gwyneth Philips earned a delaying-the-game penalty at 11:40, which was served by Hilary Knight. The Italians followed up shortly after with a boarding penalty at 13:16, but the US was unsuccessful on the man advantage. Before the end of the first frame, Megan Keller scored the first goal of the game at 13:31 with help from Laila Edwards and Alex Carpenter.
The US women came out for the second period hot and ready, with Kendal Coyne scoring at 1:41 with an assist from Caroline Harvey and Haley Winn. Kendal Coyne added another tally to the board just moments later at 4:51, this time getting help from Britta Curl and Grace Zumwinkle. Laila Edwards continued the momentum when she scored the United States fourth goal at 5:17, assisted by Megan Keller and Tessa Janecke. Italy earned an interference penalty at 5:17, and the United States followed with a boarding penalty against Rory Guilday at 10:19. Britta Curl didn’t let the shorthanded situation faze her, scoring at 11:29 with an assist from Joy Dunne and Lee Stecklein.
Cayla Barnes was awarded a two-minute interference penalty late in the second period, at 15:19. The final point of the game was scored by Hannah Bilka at 18:27, getting help from Taylor Heisse and Caroline Harvey. Before the end of the middle frame, the US earned a roughing penalty while Italy was awarded a cross-checking penalty at 18:27.
The final frame went without a goal from either team, but Italy served a two-minute penalty for cross-checking at 12:46 and for an illegal hit at 16:47 before the final buzzer. Gwyneth Philips was in goal for the United States on Friday and saved all six shots on goal from Italy.
United States Men’s Hockey Team
The United States men’s hockey team has also thrived on the ice, winning all three of its preliminary-round games and successfully advancing to the quarterfinals. The US men defeated Denmark 6-3 on Saturday, February 14, and dominated Germany 5-1 on Sunday, February 15. It is still to be determined who the men will face off against in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, February 18, at 3:10 p.m. ET. The game can be viewed on NBC and streamed on Peacock.
Image sourced via Google Images.
