Team USA is the favorite to win in women’s hockey, and their recent games only highlight why that is.
MILAN, Metropolitan City of Milan — The United States’ women’s hockey team kept their winning streak going during the semifinal match against Team Sweden at the Milan Cortina Olympic Games on Monday.
Both teams battled it out at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena, resulting in Team USA crushing Sweden in a 5-0 victory to advance to the finals.
Team USA was overwhelmingly dominant for the entirety of the semifinal match, scoring two unanswered goals in the first period, followed by another three unanswered goals in the second. Despite two power play opportunities for Sweden, the Team USA goal never felt truly in danger as the players on the ice kept the pressure on the Swedish goal.
In the third period, Team USA appeared to hold back, not willing to risk injuries on the ice to score more goals. But their defense never wavered, and Sweden was unable to make a single goal before the final whistle.
But as Team USA nears gold, there is an Olympic record they’re aiming for that remains unbroken. Team captain Hillary Knight is currently tied for the most Olympic goals scored in women’s hockey. Headed into the final, she is one goal away from breaking that record.
Team USA will face off in the finals against either Canada or Switzerland, after those two teams play later Monday.
The semifinal game came after Team USA beat Team Italy 6-0 on Friday. The U.S. hockey players previously defeated Canada, Switzerland and Finland 5-0 and Czechia 5-1 during the preliminary rounds.
Team USA is the favorite to win in women’s hockey, and their recent games only highlight why that is.
In the game against Canada, The University of Wisconsin’s Caroline Harvey had a goal and two assists, with Badger teammates Laila Edwards and Kirsten Simms also scoring. The goal was Edwards’ first in her Olympic debut. She is the first Black woman to represent the U.S. in women’s hockey.
University of Minnesota captain Abbey Murphy set up three goals.
Aerin Frankel stopped 20 shots for her third win and second shutout in her first Olympic tournament. And even 36-year-old captain Hilary Knight added an assist — the 32nd Olympic point of her career to tie Jenny Potter for most by a U.S. women’s hockey player.
The women’s team is trying to make a comeback for gold this year. In 2022, Canada narrowly defeated Team USA 3-2 to secure gold and leave Team USA with silver.
When does Team USA play in women’s hockey next?
The game deciding bronze, silver and gold game will be held Thursday, Feb. 19 at 8:40 a.m. ET (bronze) and 1:10 p.m. ET (silver and gold).
Viewers around the world can watch on official broadcasters, including NBC and streaming on Peacock and NBC Olympics platforms.
Krys Shahin contributed to this report.