Day: February 6, 2022

The United States women’s ice hockey team dominated Switzerland 8-0 at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

By Bryan Murphy – NBC Chicago

The United States women’s ice hockey team handled Switzerland with ease in its third game of the preliminary round, coming out on top with 8-0 win to improve to 3-0 in group play.

Kelly Pannek had two goals and an assist, Hilary Knight and Jesse Compher each recorded two goals and Megan Bozek and Jincy Dunne each notched two assists. Alex Cavalinni made 12 saves for the shutout in her first start of the Olympics.

It’s the second straight shutout for the Americans. The team has outscored opponents 18-2 at the Games so far.

The U.S. will face its toughest test of the tournament on Monday, Feb. 7 as it squares off with rival Canada t 11:10 p.m. ET.

Knight got the Americans on the board first with an early power play goal in the opening period. While her initial shot did not go through, she collected her own rebound and potted it home for her second goal of the tournament.

That was followed up with a barrage of goals by the Americans with three coming in a span of 2:11.

Compher scored her second goal of the Olympics, as she one-timed a feed from Hayley Scamurra past Switzerland goaltender Saskia Maurer.

Just nine seconds later, Knight extended the lead to 3-0 with her second tally of the period. After picking off an errant pass by the Swiss, the assistant captain sniped a shot over Maurer’s right shoulder on the short side.

About two minutes later, Pannek snapped a shot by the glove of Maurer to give the Americans the 4-0 advantage. It was her first career Olympic goal.

Amanda Kessel added another in the final minute of the period, with a quick slap shot from a bad angle as the power play expired.

The Americans take a 5-0 lead into the first intermission. They outshot the Swiss 22-4 in the frame, chasing Maurer from the game as she was replaced by Andrea Braendli for the middle period.

In the second, Pannek and Compher each grabbed their second goals of the day. Panneck beat Braendli blocker side early in the second while Compher tallied her goal later on in the period.

Dani Cameranesi scored the lone goal in the final period, putting one five-hole on Braendli for the eighth American goal.

Athletes of China celebrate after the ice hockey women’s Group B match between China and Japan at Wukesong Sports Centre in Beijing,

Source: Xinhua

China’s women’s ice hockey team defeated Japan 2-1 in a penalty shootout to claim its second win at the Beijing Winter Olympics on Sunday.

China offered waves of offense after the opening whistle, even with forward Zhang Mengying injured in the middle of the first period. But Akane Hosoyamada seized the opportunity to score at 18:02 on a powerplay, securing Japan’s 1-0 lead into the second period.

No more goals were scored until China’s Hu Baozhen equalized at the very beginning of the third period. The 1-1 deadlock ensued and saw the game head into the first overtime at Beijing 2022.

A dramatic moment arrived as a review was made after a China player moved the puck into the net with her body as she slipped, and the goal was ruled out.

During the penalty shootout, Japan failed to score, while Mi Le netted the winner to end the tightly contested match 2-1 in China’s favor.

“We expected a tight game. They came hard and it was a tough battle. We just could not finish,” said Japan head coach Yuji Iizuka.

Said China goalkeeper Zhou Jiaying, “For this game and last, I think the key is that we trust ourselves and fight hard.”

“We want to play more and we will be ready for tomorrow,” she added.

China is scheduled to face Sweden on Monday.