Sochi 2014: US Women's Hockey Advances to Gold Medal Game

The US women’s hockey team made it known the past four years they want to win the gold after winning silver in Vancouver. They showed their hunger and determination with a 6-1 victory over Sweden and earned a spot in the gold medal game.

America was in complete control from the first puck drop and kept the puck in Sweden’s zone the majority of the game. They outshot Sweden 70-9, including 29-1 in the first period. The Swedish goalies deserve a lot of respect and props because due to the shot totals the game could have been a bigger for loss them.

Everyone chipped in for America. Alex Carpenter, Kacey Bellamy, Amanda Kessel, Monique Lamourez, Megan Bozak and Brianna Decker scored the goals. Decker, Bozak and Kendall Coyne each had two assists. Decker led the team with a +4 rating. Only three players did not have a shot on goal.

Surprisingly, Hilary Knight was not a factor at all in this game despite her 12 shots on goal. She even had a -1 rating. Coyne was right behind her, though, with 10 shots on goal.

Goalie Jesse Vetter made the absolute best save in the 2014 Winter Games. The puck gently went through her legs and literally at the last possible second Vetter reached behind her right before the puck crossed the goal line. However, right after that, Anna Borgqvist scored Sweden’s only goal to avoid a shut out.

Now the women are one step closer to redemption and if Canada beats Switzerland it will be against their old nemesis. USA and Canada have met in the gold medal game in 1998, 2002 and 2010.