Ice hockey-Canada, U.S. to renew 'beautiful rivalry' in Beijing
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[February 07, 2022] By
Amy Tennery
BEIJING (Reuters) - A clash of ice hockey powerhouse rivals is set
for Tuesday in Beijing, when the United States and Canada face off
in a potential dress rehearsal for the women's Olympic final.
The only two countries to win gold since the women's event was
introduced to the Olympic programme in 1998 are guaranteed a
quarter-final spots but will not ease up in their final group-stage
game.
"Canada and us, we share a special bond and that makes for great
hockey and a beautiful rivalry," said three-time Olympic medallist
Hilary Knight, who has found the back of the net three times in the
tournament.
The U.S. lost top player Brianna Decker to a tournament-ending
injury in their opening game, a 5-2 win over Finland, but rallied to
shut down the Russian Olympic Committee team on Saturday, relying on
a mix of experience and youth to fill the void.
"Our team is right where we need to be at the right time," said U.S.
forward Amanda Kessel, who recorded her second goal of the
tournament during the 8-0 rout of Switzerland on Sunday.
"We had a bunch of games cancelled against (Canada) the past few
months, so we have been waiting for that day to get another chance
to play them."
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Hilary Knight during a practice day between their two international
hockey exhibition games against Team Canada on a My Why Tour stop in
Maryland Heights, Missouri, U.S. December 16, 2021. REUTERS/Jonathan
Ernst
They will meet a Canadian team out for revenge
after the U.S. ended their run of four straight golds in Pyeongchang.
The world champions have been at the top of their game in Beijing,
with the top three goal-scorers in the tournament after thrashing
Switzerland and Finland 12-1 and 11-1 before downing the ROC team
6-1.
"We've been rolling and I think it's amazing we've produced from
every single line," said two-time Olympic medallist Natalie Spooner,
who has recorded two goals and eight assists at the tournament.
"We get on this roll and when that happens we are pretty
unstoppable."
Canada and the U.S. clash on Tuesday at Wukesong Sports Centre.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery and additional reporting by Steve Keating
in Beijing, editing by Ed Osmond)
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