In the second semi-finals of the women’s winter hockey tournament in Beijing, the United States, the defending champions, beat Finland 4-1, to reach the finals where old rival Canada will be their opponent. In the history of the Winter Olympics, these two teams have faced each other five times out of the six finals to date.
| The US national team finals for the fifth time (Photo: AFP) |
There was no surprise in the women’s hockey tournament: the United States imposed the paper model against Finland. After the first goalless goal, the foreigners took the lead with Kayla Barnes’ header, and the thrilling World Cup final between the two teams ended three years ago, but this time he missed a Finnish equaliser. Moreover, instead of a Finnish strike in the middle third, another American goal fell, Hilary Knight doubled the lead over the defending champion.
In the last twenty minutes, the Finns continued, but without any effort, Hayley Scamora practically decided to reach the finals in the last five minutes. This is true even if the Finns brought down their goalkeeper in the final four minutes when they took a man advantage over Abby Rocky’s bid and managed to attack 6-4. They could not take advantage of the forum and could only sweeten the score with Susanna Tabani with only half a minute left, but Rocky regained his three-goal difference within seconds, achieving a 4-1 result.
In doing so, the United States reached the finals of the tournament, where Canada would be their opponent – once again, five of the six finals in women’s hockey since the 1998 Olympic debut, the two teams vying for the gold medal.
hockey
Women’s semi-finals
The United States and Finland 4-1 (0-0, 2-0, 2-1)
Previously
Canada – Switzerland 10-3 (5-1, 1-2, 2-0)
National Sports reports on the venue: Gergeli Cohan, Erica Kovacs (text), Karoly Orvay (photo)
