Sweden’s Sandra Näslund wins skicross gold in controversial final
Canada held on to the victory in the women’s ice hockey final on Thursday when they saw a 3-0 lead disappear under late pressure from their old rivals, Team USA.
Sarah is a nurse got the Canadians off the mark in the first period immediately after one of their efforts was ruled offside.
Captain of Canada Marie-Philip Poulin then scored two more goals to put her team in a 3-0 lead when the match threatened to become a thorn in the side of the United States.
But it did not work out that way.
Late in the second period, Hilary Knight pulled one back for Team USA and there were games on.
Into the third period, a palpable feeling of desperation rose in the final minutes, where American players threw everything they had in a frantic attempt to close the gap, bodies stacked on top of each other in front of the Canadian goal.
Team USA did a second review Amanda Kesselmaking it 3-2 with just 12 seconds on the clock.
The United States surpassed Canada 40-21 but in the end it was not enough, as the Canadians broke out in ecstatic cheers at the last buzzer and jumped into a group hug. Some American players left the rink visible in tears.
Four years ago at the Pyeongchang Games, the United States beat Canada in a penalty shootout in the final to win Olympic gold.
Together, the two teams have won every Olympic gold in this sport.
Cheerleaders and Bing Dwen Dwen: The mood in the stands was elated and elated throughout the match, with hip hop songs by artists including Dr. Three that exploded through the speakers during breaks between periods.
There was a solid crowd cheering on both teams, with fans waving American and Canadian flags, and some even beating drums after goals.
There were also official cheerleaders on site, dressed in neutral blue hockey jerseys and helping to create enthusiasm. At one point, Olympic pandama mascot Bing Dwen Dwen – the unexpected breakaway star in the Games – danced with the cheers.
Thomas Bach, chairman of the International Olympic Committee, also watched the match and was seen taking pictures with the bronze-winning Finland team.