Photo Credit: ©Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
2/20/2014
The first two periods were all Team USA as they dominated every play, stole the puck from Canada in their own end, and defended their own net even though Jessie Vetter was solid. When Meghan Duggan scored first in the second period, the Canadian team didn’t seem too concerned for the time being. When Team Canada couldn’t score during the rest of period two, frustration could have set in. And it did.
In the beginning of the third period, Team USA came on strong, as they had in the first two periods. Their skill and talent shone through as Alex Carpenter scored another goal to put the Americans up by two early in third period. It took Team Canada fifteen more minutes to get it together and focus on the American net.
With the Canadians putting more and more pressure on the USA net, it was bound to happen. Canada finally scored their first goal to break the shutout with three and a half minutes left on the clock in regulation. I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t help but wonder if Team Canada could keep the pressure going and work together to get one more little goal to force an OT period, in hopes of keeping our gold medal dreams alive.
Those were the longest three minutes for hockey fans as we all sat on the edge of our seats, waiting to see if we could pull off a magic trick. With just over 54 seconds left on the clock, Marie-Philip Poulin tied the game and forced Team USA into overtime.
Overtime was a dramatic story of hockey technicalities as a Canadian penalty was called first. When there was a penalty called on the USA, it was 3 on 3 hockey until another penalty against Team USA led to a goal by Marie-Philip Poutin to give Team Canada the gold medal in the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
In the end, it was a really close game in stats. Canada made 27 saves while USA made 28. Shots on goal were 31 for Canada and 29 for USA. Each had a powerplay goal. And the faceoffs were pretty much even at 33 for Team Canada and 35 for Team USA. Both goalies were stellar for the respective teams even though they both had their moment of weakness.
It’s always a great match-up between these two teams on an international stage – this game was no exception. Congrats to Team USA for their silver medal. Sincerely, you are a worthy opponent and I love watching the talent and skill that are so obvious on your team.
Congrats Team Canada on your gold medal! Personally, I am so happy for Hayely Wickenheiser. Cassie Campbell paved the way and Wick has continued the legacy. From Oulette, Poutin, Agosta, and Szabados to Larocque, Apps, Mikkelson, Hefford, Spooner, and Jenner, our Canadian women’s hockey legacy will continue to grow.
Thank you, Ladies! See you in the next Olympics!