Canada defeated the United States in Olympic Women’s Hockey 3-2 in overtime, to win the gold medal. USA had command of this game until the last 3 1/2 minutes of regulation. They had a 2-0 lead until a deflected puck went into the USA goal to cut the lead to 2-1. After Team USA just missed an empty net goal, that would have given them a certain win, Canada scored with 55 seconds remaining to force overtime.
While Canada had all the momentum going into overtime, USA pushed the action early in the overtime period, having several opportunites, but not scoring. Then 7 1/2 minutes into the overtime period, Canada’s Hayley Wickenhiser got free on a breakaway, and was dragged down by Hillary Knight of the USA. On the ensuing power play, Canada’s Marie-Philip Poulin, who also scored the tying goal, knocked in the game-winner 8:10 into overtime to give Canada its 4th consecutive Olympic gold medal in Women’s Hockey.
This was a devastating loss for the Americans. It sure was looking like a victory for USA, as they held Canada off the scoreboard for 56 1/2 minutes, but then gave up 2 goals in the remaining 3 1/2 minutes of regulation to tie the game. For the 3rd straight Olympics, the American women received silver medals to the golds for Canada. This was the 20th straight overall win for the Canadian women. Poulin who plays at Boston University, also scored 2 goals in the gold medal game in Vancouver. Switzerland beat Sweden 4-3 for the bronze medal.
Adelina Sotnikova of Russia won the gold medal in Women’s Figure Skating, in an upset over defending Olympic Champion Yuna Kim of South Korea. Kim won the silver medal, and Carolina Kostner of Italy won the bronze medal. Gracie Gold of the United States finished in 4th place. The other Americans, Ashley Wagner and Polina Edmunds, finished in 7th and 9th places respectively.
Ted Ligety of the United States won the gold medal in the Giant Slalom on Wednesday. He held almost a full second lead over the entire field after the first run, but lost half of that lead in his 2nd and final run. Ligety won by 0.48 second over Steve Missillier of France, to become the first American ever to win the Olympic Giant Slalom. Missillier was way back in 10th place after the first run, but had a great second run to win the silver medal. Alexis Pinturalt, also of France, won the bronze medal.
On Tuesday, the last 2 runs of the Women’s Bobsled event occurred at the Olympics. After the first day, and first 2 runs, the Americans were in 1st and 3rd positions, with Canada-1 in between, close behind USA-1. Elana Meyers and Lauryn Williams in USA-1 maintained a slim lead after the 3rd run over Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse in Canada-1, and USA-2 with Jamie Greubel and Aja Evans were still in 3rd place.
However, the defending gold medalists in Canada-1 took the lead and another gold medal on their last run. USA-1 finished 1/10th of a second behind, to win the silver medal. USA-2 finished with the bronze medal. USA-3 which consisted of Jazmine Fenlator and Lolo Jones finished in a disappointing 11th place.
As of the end of events on Thursday, February 20th, Team USA has the lead in total medals with 25. Russia is 2nd with 23, and the Netherlands is 3rd with 22 medals. Norway, who is 4th with 21 total medals, leads the way in gold medals with 10. Canada is 5th with 20 medals. There are 3 days left of competition in the 2014 Winter Olympics. Will the United States maintain this lead through the weekend? I sure hope so!
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Sports With Frank Thomas
