Hockey / Olympics

Women’s Hockey Opens at the Games

- by Beth Bolger

The Opening Ceremonies for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games have not even happened yet, but that did not stop the Winter Games from starting. The Olympic Women’s Hockey preliminary round officially launched stateside on February 2 at 11:20 pm EST. The matchups that have already happened have been precisely what we all wanted to see, high-scoring, fast-paced, and already filled with drama and excitement. Let’s dive into the matchups we have already seen with two powerhouse teams: Hockey Canada and Team USA.

Hockey Canada vs Switzerland

Hockey Canada athletes celebrate their 12-1 victory over Switzerland. (Photo courtesy of Hockey Canada/Twitter)

The Women’s Hockey Olympic tournament officially begins with Hockey Canada’s matchup versus Switzerland. If you were tired and closed your eyes for too long, you would’ve missed a goal in this game. At the end of the first period, it was already 3-0 Hockey Canada. The first goal from Sarah Fillier, at 1:04 of the first period, took a 10-minute video review before it was finally on the scoreboard. A little over six minutes later, Fillier would net her second of the game. Natalie Spooner would add a third tally for Hockey Canada a few minutes later.

Hockey Canada did not take their foot off the gas pedal as the second period began. At 8:06 of the second, Rebecca Johnston would find the back of the net. Fifteen seconds later, Laura Stacey would join the goal scoring. The first special team’s goal of the game came courtesy of Spooner for her second of the match. Blayre Turnbull decided to join the goal-scoring fest a little over two minutes later. Closing out the five-goal period, Stacey would net her second of the game. 

The third period saw its first goal scored at 6:14 with another beauty from Turnbull. Team Switzerland would finally get on the board with a power play goal of their own at 8:30 from Lara Stalder. However, the Hockey Canada goal scoring was not over as Ashton Bell found the back of the net at 13:36. Following that up another goal, this time from Claire Thompson at 16:20 of the third period. The game’s final goal came with just two seconds remaining in the game with a power play goal from Erin Ambrose. 

Getting the Most From Special Teams and Tendies

That is 12 goals from eight different scorers if you haven’t counted. Hockey Canada successfully killed off six-of-seven penalties, while Switzerland killed off two-of-four penalties. Not only was Hockey Canada putting pucks in the back of the net, they saw phenomenal goaltending from Ann-Renée Desbiens, who stopped 14 of the 15 shots she faced. The save below is already looking to be the save of the tournament.

Hockey Canada has officially put the entire Olympic Women’s Hockey tournament on notice. Impressively, the team took 70 shots on goal during this matchup. They came to play, win, and try and bring a Gold Medal back to their home country.

Finland vs. Team USA

After a few hours of sleep here in the States, it was time to get up bright and early and prepare for the first game for Team USA of the tournament. With an 8:10 am EST puck drop, it became apparent that sleep would not be something we get a lot of for the next two weeks. Though Team USA would win the game 5-2, it came with a loss that will be felt for the rest of the Olympics.

A Devastating Loss

Brianna Decker in visible pain after an awkward fall in the first period of the Finland versus Team USA matchup on February 2, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Yahoo Sports)

The game started with a devastating loss for the Team USA roster as Alternate Captain Brianna Decker got tangled up with a Finland defender and landed awkwardly. Decker could be heard through the game audio in extreme discomfort as the team trainer met her on the ice. Eventually, the medical team and a stretcher entered the ice, and the medical team took Decker for further medical evaluation. Team USA confirmed that Decker would not be eligible for the remainder of the tournament. She was seen later on crutches and wearing an orthopedic boot during the game. As a leader of Team USA’s Women’s Hockey team, and knowing the discomfort she was undoubtedly experiencing after an injury of this nature, it was a fantastic thing for her to come out and support her team. She even handed out post-game fist bumps to her teammates.

Brianna Decker exchanging a fist bump with Kendall Coyne Schofield after her tournament ending injury. (Photo Courtesy of Insider)

A Rally for Team USA

The bench was very somber for Team USA after Decker’s injury; however, it seemed like they had something different to fight for now. After play resumed, Team USA’s Amanda Kessel opened the scoring with a beautiful, odd-angle shot. Less than two-and-a-half minutes later, Alex Carpenter would put another beauty into the back of the net to double the Team USA lead to 2-0 at the end of the first. 

The second period saw goals from only one superstar, the one and only Kendall Coyne Schofield. She would net her first tournament goal at 5:32 of the second, and her second goal came 62 seconds later. Again, Coyne Schofield just uses her speed to her advantage. Blink, and you will miss her effortlessly moving across the ice with the puck on her stick. Have yourself a game, Kendall. 

The Strangest End to a Game Ever

First, the third period began with the lights going out during a penalty call at the 56-second mark of the frame. Once the lights returned, some pressure on goaltender Maddie Rooney resulted in her playing the puck outside the trapezoid and earning a Delay of Game penalty. The penalty resulted in Finland’s first goal of the game, a quick wrist shot from inside the point by Susanna Tapani on their first shot of the period. At the 8:01 mark, Alex Carpenter would net her second of the game and make the score 5-1.

The game played until the final horn, but after review of a previous play, 2:20 was added back to the game clock and the final few minutes would be replayed. A beauty of a goal entered the net behind Rooney so quickly that it was waved no goal on the ice. After review, it was determined that the puck hit the post, ricocheted off of the camera and was back out of the net so quickly that every human eye missed it. That snipe of a goal came from Finland’s Tapani again.

The final replayed 2:20 of the game did not result in any additional scoring, even with Finland pulling their goaltender.

Upcoming Games

Hockey Canada and Team USA have an action-packed preliminary round upcoming.

  • February 4 – Canada vs. Finland
  • February 5 – U.S. vs. Russian Olympic Committee
  • February 6 – Canada vs. Russian Olympic Committee
  • February 6 – Switzerland vs. U.S.
  • February 7 – U.S. vs. Canada

The Quarterfinal Round begins Thursday, February 10.

Follow Beyond Women’s Sports for more from the world of women’s sports. Beth Bolger is available on Twitter and you can follow her there.

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About Beth Bolger

Growing up, every free moment I had was spent at an ice rink. When the Premier Hockey Federation came into existence, I knew I needed to support it however I could. I am here to provide the best women’s hockey coverage I can for the fans!

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