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Live blog: USA vs. Canada women's gold medal game
CURRENT SCORE: USA 2, Canada 2 (Heading for overtime)
PREVIEW: Breaking down the gold medal matchup
KWAK: Sochi's best rivalry resumes on golden stage
KWAK: Kessels are hockey's First Family
KWAK: Sochi's best rivalry resumes on golden stage
KWAK: Kessels are hockey's First Family
Be sure to frequently refresh this page to get the latest updates on the game.
Third period
2:23: Team USA's Kelli Stack won the defensive zone draw prior to that goal, but her teammates couldn't corral the loose puck in the corner. Unbelievable, and unbelievably perfect, finish to regulation.
2:20: GOAL TEAM CANADA! Tie game with 54.6 seconds remaining! Marie Philip Poulin buries a Rebecca Johnson pass to tie this one up.
2:18: Canadian coach Kevin Dineen calls his timeout with 1:14 remaining.
2:16: Two minutes to go and a brilliant stop by Vetter on a hard net drive by Spooner, the first noticeable play of the game for Canada's premier power forward. Canada finally showing the urgency that's eluded them most of the game. Now Canada pulls Szabados for the extra attacker.
2:14: TEAM CANADA Goal! Brianne Jenner with 3:26 to go in the third. She gets the blue line, cuts to the middle and fires a wrister from the left dot that may have hit an American defender before beating Vetter.
2:12: Team USA standing five across at the blueline, repelling every Canadian bid to enter the zone. Four minutes to go.
2:10: Gigi Marvin dodges a bullet on a clearing pass that ends up in the stands. Must have glanced off the glass, but looked like it cleared it clean. 5:27 to go in the third.
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(LIVE) Canada 2, United States 2 – Women's Ice Hockey Gold Medal Final
Hayley Wickenheiser was won gold with Canada's women's hockey team three times, in 2002, 2006, and 2010.
The Intro
Hayley Wickenheiser and her Canadian women's ice hockey team – captained by Caroline Ouellette, coached by former NHLer Kevin Dineen – go up against the United States today, in the gold medal final of the women's ice hockey tournament, at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
A win for Canada would give its fourth straight gold medal, dating back to 2002 when it defeated this same American team. The Americans won gold in women's hockey's first year in the Olympics, in 1998 in Nagano.
Since then, Canada has topped the podium each time – once in the United States, once in Italy, and once in Canada – and defeated the United States 3-2 in this year's Olympic preliminary round.
8:37 a.m.
The biggest question here, for me, is how will each team start this game? The Americans came out flying in their preliminary round loss to Canada, but lost. The Americans are also coming off a 70-shot beat down of Sweden in their semifinal... if they play like that against Canada – well, if they play like that against anyone – it's hard to imagine any team topping the United States.
Canada has motivation, like any defending champion has motivation. The sort of, This is our turf. You can't take it. We own this. That kind of thing.
At the same time, the Olympics go every four years, and these teams see each other plenty in between then. Canada won in 2002 in Salt Lake City, way back when everyone thought the Americans were thepowerhouse in women's hockey.
But now the Americans are the challengers, and this David is a lot closer in size to Canada's goliath.
8:45 a.m.
I have to say, congratulations to Switzerland, which beat Sweden 4-3 earlier today to win the Bronze Medal, their first.
Swiss goalie Florence Schelling is the undoubted breakout star of this year's Olympic women's hockey tournament, and the Swiss proved a tough out for everyone who played them, Canada included... our women defeated Schelling and the Swiss 3-1 to advance to today's gold medal final.
Players to Watch...
The United States
Amanda Kessel.
Because of her brother. And because, like her brother, she's pretty darn good.
Canada
Meghan Agosta.
Yeah, yeah, Hayley Wickenheiser, we know. But Agosta – who was the youngest player on Canada's gold medal-winning team in 2006, at 19 – has a knack for well-timed incredible-ness. She was the MVP of Canada's 2010 team, and she scored a sizzling breakway goal to put Canada ahead 3-1 over the U.S., just a few days ago.
That goal turned out to be the winner. Wickenheiser is the brand and Ouellette is the captain, but Canada will need Agosta to be the star (again) if they want to beat the United States.
15:57, 1st period...
The puck drops, and Wickenheiser is immediately disrupting the Americans not the center – not with her play, mind you, but her physicality and her general annoyingness. (Annoyingness in a good way, as an agitator.)
When the Canadians and Americans play, it's easily the most physical matchup you'll see in women's hockey, and Tara Watchorn takes a bodychecking penalty because of it, Dan Hamhuis-ing a streaking American to the left side of Canadian goalie Shannon Szabados.
Szabados makes a couple incredible saves, one a flashy glove off an American one-timer above the slot, the next a pad save that he kicks high and wide.
Canada kills the penalty.
Canada 0, United States 0
11:59, 1st period...
A completely careless penalty by Canada's Meaghan Mikkelson sends the Americans to the powerplay again, their second in only six minutes to start this gold medal final.
Canada kills the penalty, with more tremendous goaltending from Shannon Szabados and desperate defending from Jocelyn Larocque.
The Americans' Hilary Knight takes a penalty, and Canada survives the first eight minutes of this final.
Canada 0, United States 0
5:37, 1st period...
Canada puts the pressure on during their powerplay, with some quality scrambles and near-shots from Wickenheiser and Agosta, but the Americans kill it off.
When play finally returns to 5-on-5, Canada controls the pace. Today, they were more physical, faster, and (honestly) a little more desperate to win than the United States.
But their momentum is suspended when Canadian defender Tara Watchorn lays out American Brianna Decker.
The Americans head back to their own powerplay and, unlike in 2002, the Canadians can't blame the referees for their undisciplined play.
Canada 0, United States 0
1st Intermission
Since the Americans killed that short(er) Canadian powerplay, they've been threatening – a couple very solid, very necessary saves from Canada's goalie Szabados, and some 2-on-1s and odd-man rushes for the stars and stripes, all of them each broken up by Canada or broken up by poor passing.
Canada comes back with a couple chances of their own, and American goalie Jessie Vetter makes some saves of her own, with a notable glove hand to stop Canada's #24, Natalie Spooner.
Canada starts with all the speed and all the desire, but they couldn't score. The Americans lead in shots 11-9.
Into the intermission, it's dead even on the scoreboard. It's dead even all around.
Canada 0, United States 0
16:49, 2nd period
Best player so far, for my money? Canada's Natalie Spooner.
Agosta has been all over the ice and Wickenheiser has been the anchor (like, she's been stable and reliable, not that she's bringing them down) but Spooner has been the rover and has been Canada's best possession player, so far.
You still get the sense the Americans are lurking though, just ready to break out. They haven't looked very threatening 5-on-5 yet, but the longer this game stays 0-0, the worse it gets for the team that has been the best early on, and that would be Canada.
Canada 0, United States 0
10:30, 2nd period
Again the 5-on-5 pressure is a lot of a little, with a couple needed saves (finally) from the United States's Jessie Vetter. Canada puts the pressure on and the Americans take a penalty, with Kelli Stack finally losing composure.
Stack gets two minutes for hooking. She has been battling with Wickenheiser all game.
The Americans kill the penalty, dropping Canada's powerplay conversion to 0-for-3.
Canada gets the best chance of the period, so far, with Natalie Spooner finding Meghan Agosta at the side of the net. Her one-timer is robbed – emphatically – by the left bad of Vetter.
Canada 0, United States 0
8:20, 2nd period
Jayne Hefford is snuffed out by American goaltender Jessie Vetter, and the Americans are still unable to clear their zone consistently. It's been basically all Canada at 5-on-5, especially in this second period.
Hefford, Rebecca Johnston, and Marie-Philip Poulin had Canada's best shift of the game, so far, but we unable to score against Vetter.
Canada 0, United States 0
8:00, 2nd period
GOAL – UNITED STATES
And just like that, the Americans strike. Meghan Duggan's screened shot zips past the glove of Shannon Szabados, and the United States takes a 1-0 lead.
Little pressure at all for the Americans today, but they strike properly.
(On another note, how come everyone named Megan in this game spells it with an 'H'?)
United States 1, Canada 0
2:35, 2nd period
Canada gets two straight powerplays – and a very short two-player advantage – but can't convert on both. Some greta goaltending, some even greater play from the American skaters, shot-blocking and disrupting Canada's flow.
A shorthanded opportunity for the U.S.'s Jocelyne Lamoureux takes three Canadians to break up, with two slashes from Canada's backcheckers and a poke check from goalie Szabados.
The referee lets a couple penalty calls for each team go, and the Americans still lead as the second period winds to a close.
United States 1, Canada 0
2nd Intermission
Hilary Knight is finally making an impact. Well, we've heard her name, at least... Knight gets a one-timer but it's stopped by Szabados, who has deflected every shot she has seen so far.
The Canadians played a superior second period to the Americans, no doubt aided by a couple powerplays, but the Americans are the only team to put one away.
Meghan Duggan's first goal of the tournament and the only goal of this game is still the one difference.
United States 1, Canada 0
16:41, 3rd period
GOAL – UNITED STATES
I had a second-intermission shower, I come out, and the Americans get their second straight goal, a beautiful redirection by the U.S.'s Alex Carpenter.
She has been one of the more noticeable Americans all game, which shows that it's either been a team effort or that it's been a less-than-overpowering effort.
Either way, the Americans have a two-goal lead and Canada's time is running out, if it wasn't already.
*For those who haven't played hockey, that tip-in Carpenter had – that cross-ice, high-speed, slightly airborne tip back across your body – is tremendously difficult. You essentially just close your eyes, put your stick down, and hope it works out.
It did.
United States 2, Canada 0
10:30, 3rd period
The Americans have been blocking everything thrown their way all game, and it looks like it's going to work out.
The Canadians are pressuring, but American goalie Jessie Vetter has been perfect so far and hasn't let a rebound go.
The United States, as a result, has had several chances off counter attacks, the latest coming from Hilary Knight and Alex Carpenter. It was saved by Shannon Szabados, but Canada needs offence from now on... relying on your goaltender to keep it close will only get you Silver.
United States 2, Canada 0
6:25, 3rd period
This American team looks like it was coached by Gordon Bombay.
They're clearing everything, blocking everything, and they're finally taking over. They've been okay for most of the game, but Canada worked them over at full strength in the first two periods.
Shannon Szabados has to make a couple more nice saves for Canada, and the Americans still have that two-goal lead.
The United States also leads in shots, 28-7.
United States 2, Canada 0
4:30, 3rd period
Even with a two-goal lead and just a few minutes remaining – which is normally when the trailer will make a move or two to catch up – the Americans haven't relinquished control. Their third period has been a thing of beauty, and the Canadians look like they're out of answers.
Did that preliminary round, 3-2 win by Canada work to the Americans' advantage?
United States 2, Canada 0
3:05, 3rd period
GOAL – CANADA
HOLY COW... Scratch whatever I just wrote.
Canadian No. 19 Brianne Jenner cuts down the left wing, power moves into the middle, and her tipped wrist shots goes up and over the glove of American goalie Jessie Vetter.
The Americans lead is cut in half, and there are still three minutes to play.
United States 2, Canada 1
1:35, 3rd period
I still say that Canada's No. 24 – Natalie Spooner – has been the game's best player. She's like the female Russell Wilson, leading everything from the backend with poise and a little bit of creativity.
Spoonr breaks in and dekes out the American defence, then dekes out American goalie Jessie Vetter, and puts it just wide.
Spooner went in and out on three American defenders, and did it with plenty of speed, but the lead stays.
United States 2, Canada 1
1:14, 3rd period
GOAL POST.
With Canada's net empty, American Kelli Stack picks up the puck along Canada's boards and flips it down the ice... and it hits the post.
That would be been it, for sure. Now, Canada has a faceoff and has taken a time out. With 1:14 left, it's far from over.
United States 2, Canada 1
0:45, 3rd period
CANADA GOAL
With their goalie pulled, Marie-Philip Poulin picks up a bobbled puck in front of Jessie Vetter and flips it over the American goalie.
Hayler Wickenheiser had a chance, as well, and now it's tied with under a minute to go...
Folks, we're going to overtime. I think.
Canada 2, United States 2
OT Intermission
Folks, we're going to overtime.
**********
2:09: Canada coming at the U.S. in waves with under seven to go. Vetter tested on a wraparound chance, but keeps her sheet clean.
2:03: We're past the midway point of the third. Team USA frustrating Canada's attempts to get set up in the American zone. They're really starting to feel it now.
2:01: Hilary Knight and Alex Carpenter almost connect on a two-on-one but Szabados keeps Canada alive for now.
2:00: Tera Watchorn's going to get the goat horns after this one if the score stays the same, but her lack of discipline isn't what killed Canada's chances. Their inability to penetrate the American D and test Vetter with something other than a 50 footer from a bad angle is the difference.
1:53: Annie Schleper with a monster game for Team USA. Big defender is blocking shots, taking the body and refusing to allow Canada to gain any purchase in the middle of the ice. Masterful.
1:52: Four shots for Team USA on the power play. Expect Canada to come hard over the next couple shifts. This could be the game.
1:49: TEAM USA Goal! Carpenter cashes in on the doorstep with seven seconds left on the PP. Terrific feed from Hilary Knight to set up the dagger Now 2-0 for Team USA.
1:45: Puck drops on the third period and Watchorn draws a penalty seven seconds in. Her third of the game. USA to the PP.
Second period
1:35: Shots on goal now 17-16 for Canada. Four shots for Team USA's Hilary Knight. Meghan Agosta leads Canada with four.
1:32: Here's a look at Meghan Duggan's go-ahead goal, courtesy of the tireless @peteblackburn
1:30: And that's the end of two. Canada has the clear advantage in possession, but Team USA has the only stat that matters, taking a 1-0 lead into the intermission.
1:29: Team USA with best chance of the period, Knight alone in front, Szabados with the save.
1:25: Full marks to Team USA PK, but Canada's power play has been brutal. Rushing shots, poor decisions with the puck. It's the difference in the game.
1:23: Americans with a magnificent penalty kill. Canadian passes/shots consistently steer aside by sticks and bodies. By my count, five shot blocks. Even up now.
1:21: First American penalty is over. No shots on the two-man advantage.
1:20: Unbelievable tactical error by Canada. A second call on Team USA as Schleper goes for high sticking, but instead of turning over the puck to maximize the five-on-three, the continue to control the play as the time on the first penalty winds down.
1:17: Officials convening to discuss potential too many men on the ice call. Nice that they're taking the time to get it right, but man this has taken more than a minute. Now Team USA to the box. Seeing the replay, it's a pretty clear call.
1:16: That was a Catherine Ward turnover that led directly to the American goal.
1:14 TEAM USA GOAL: Duggan scores from the left circle as Team USA finally gets traffic to the net, beats Szabados high glove. No chance on that one for the Canadian goaltender. 11:57 of the second.
1:13: Caroline Ouellette HAMMERED by Monique Lamoureux. Clean contact, no penalty.
1:11: We're past the midway point of the second. Canada starting to take control of this period
1:09: Even strength. Canada turned it over twice in their own zone on that power play, continuing to struggle in transition.
1:08: Vetter with a massive stop on Agosta's goalmouth chance.
1:07: Canada with the first sustained pressure of the second period. Kelli Stack takes a hooking call to put Team USA on the penalty kill.
12:59: This game will be won by the team that wins the battle down low. To this point, neither side is gaining any ground, and that means both are settling for long distance chances and leaving the rebounds to the opposing D.
12:56: Just noticed Tara Watchorn's penalty at 2:01 of the first was called Women Body-Checking. Just in case anyone was confused. Second period is underway.
12:55: Laura Fortino (8:50 TOI) and Jocelyne Larocque (8:38) paced Canada on the back end with Watchorn in the box twice. That's a heavy load. Could be an issue as this game wears on.
12:50: Katey Stone relying heavily on her top line with Knight, Decker and Stack all playing more than seven minutes in the first. Defender Gigi Marvin leads with 7:53 TOI and three shots.
12:48: From SI's Sarah Kwak in Sochi: A good, even period. Some really good chances on both sides, though I think Szabados has been the difference maker so far. She's dialed in. I think Team USA is going to kick itself a little for the squandered opportunities on the power play. They generated some great chances, but didn't convert and then cut two of them short by taking penalties.
12:43: Team Canada spending too much time on the perimeter and struggling to get into the prime scoring areas due to the strength and positioning of the American defenders.
First period
12:42: And that's the end of the first. Team USA with the better of the play, using their speed and superior passing to control the middle of the ice. Shots 11-9 in favor of the Americans.
12:41: Bozek can't handle a pass in the defensive zone and turns over the puck. Wakefield alone in the slot, but Team USA's Vetter with the stop. Final minute of the first.
12:38: Both sides at full-strength. Just over two minutes remaining in the first. Not much happening for Canada on that PP.
12:36: Team Canada continues to be its own worst enemy. Passes going a foot or two off the mark are killing their offensive momentum.
12:34: Another Team USA power play aborted early by a penalty of their own. Kacey Bellamy to the box after being forced to tie up Irwin on a shorthanded partial break.
12:33: Steal by Alex Carpenter in the slot, but can't get a clean shot away at Szabados.
12:32: Another penalty to Watchorn of Canada. She's letting this game get away from her early. Team USA to their third power play opportunity .
12:30: Canada having trouble connecting on their passes early on. Turning the puck over too many times in the neutral zone as a result.
12:25: Wickenheiser double-clutches on a chance in the left circle, and Canada comes up empty with the extra skater. Back to full strength with just under 10 minutes to play in the first.
12:24: Jessie Vetter with a pair of monstrous saves as Canada crashes the net. Huge rebound in front of an open net sailed past the blueline and out of harm's way.
12:23: Tremendous pressure by Team USA on that PP chance. Canada couldn't get a clear or a line change until Knight throws down Hefford in the corner. Four on four for the next 13 seconds, then Canada goes to the power play.
12:21: Another undisciplined penalty to Team Canada, Mikkelson blows up Carpenter from behind at the USA blueline. Don't think this is the game Canada wants to be playing.
12:17: Back to even strength. Five shots for Team USA on the PP. Szabados looks very sharp.
12:15: Terrific glove save by Szabados on Schlepper. US with plenty of pressure through the first minute of the PP.
12:16: Team USA to the power play. Hawhorn to the box for a hard bodycheck. USA killing it on the draws early.
12:12: Team USA with their first chance. Nice pass by Kessel to Coyne, who tests Szabados with a high shot.
12:11: Right there--Canadian forward offside by two feet...took three seconds for official to whistle play dead. Uh-oh.
12:10: And we're underway in Sochi. The opening draw goes to Team USA.
12:05: Real concern ahead of this game is the quality of the officiating. Far too many instances of the stripes getting caught out of position in round-robin games.
11:54: Interesting battle setting up on special teams. Canada is 28.6 percent on the power play, Team USA is 27. 2 percent. Canada is 91 percent on the penalty kill, Team USA is 90 percent.
11:53: Shannon Szabados and Charline Labonte split Canada's previous four starts, but it will be Szabados getting the call today. She pitched a shutout in the gold medal game in 2010 and was named the tournament's top goaltender. Her big-game experience earned her the nod.
11:40: Welcome to our live coverage of today's women's gold medal showdown between longtime arch-rivals Team USA and Team Canada.
Though the result has yet to be determined, the contestants were never in doubt. Canada is the defending gold medalist after beating the Americans, 2-0, in Vancouver in 2010. Team USA are the reigning world champions, having knocked off the Canadians, 3-2, in Ottawa in 2013.
The two sides last met in the preliminary round on Feb. 12, a game Canada won 3-2.
Hilary Knight is the player to watch for Team USA. The 5'-11", 172-pound forward has three goals and five points through four games in Sochi and can dominate a game with her size and speed.
Marie-Philip Poulin could be the key for Canada. Although she has scored just one goal to this point in the tournament, Poulin came up big in the 2010 finale, tallying twice to lead Team Canada to gold.
Team USA's lines for today's game:
Forwards
Knight - Stack - Carpenter
Forwards
Knight - Stack - Carpenter
Stecklein
Vetter
Schaus
There's more on the line today than just a gold medal:
Not sure you can call Harper a winner though if the prize is American beer...
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