USA shamelessly embarrassed a “Poulin-less” Team Canada by handing them the largest margin loss in Olympic history for women and men’s hockey. No other team has ever shut out Team Canada, and the United States just did that.
Wisconsin Badger star defenseman, Caroline Harvey got on the board first, kick-starting the motor for Team USA, assisted by Captain America, Hilary Knight. With that assist, Knight has tied Jenny Potter’s record for most career points (32) in Team USA Olympic History. Hannah “Dolla” Bilka beamed the second goal of the game in the slot on a picture-perfect backhanded assist from Abby Murphy.
At the start of the second period, Team USA had an advantage after Canada committed an interference penalty where Kristen Simms took the opportunity to score on a powerplay for Team USA that had to be reviewed due to heavy traffic in the crease.
Moments later, Deja VU. The two that have been a major problem.
The Bilka-Murphy Connection’ struck again on a grand one-timer from behind the goal line (Murphy) to the dot (Bilka) that went high glove side. Latvia’s goaltender never saw it coming.
Then Laila Edwards closed the door on Canada and finally buried her first career goal during the 3rd period after pinging the post twice earlier in the game. Edwards made history netting this goal becoming the first black woman in history to score for the USA Women’s Hockey Olympic Team. She currently has 2 assists and 1 goal in four games, bringing her total to 3 points.
Team USA played above par with excellent defense, puck possession, and precision passing, and textbook positioning. Team Canada had no chance to score the entire game. Aerin Frankel was a wall, shunning all 20 shot attempts to help cruise past Canada with their third shutout in a row. Frankel is also the first goaltender to shut out Canada on the world stage.
Team USA has outscored their opponents in the last four games an astonishing 20-1.
Belt to ass. School is in session.
The United States Women’s Hockey Team is bigger, stronger, and faster in every position.
This completely rounded young team might be setting the new standard of excellence considering a third of Team USA is still rostered on D1 college teams, with four of the five goals being scored by the college girls today against Team Canada.
They are liable to do anything, ripping shots from anywhere at any given time on the ice, and have proven that they are a multi-dimensional team with an arsenal of weapons on offense.
Team USA sits undefeated and are a lock as the number one seed going into the finals. Their next opponent Italy hasn’t looked like much of a threat to any team in the tournement and will have their work cut out for them on Friday night February 13th against the Americans.
Dante Robinson | Senior PWHL Analyst for The NSR Network
