Have been an avid hockey fan for nearly 70 years (lets talk about Gump Worsley, Andy Bathgate, Lou Fontinato, and all those fab Canadians). This game was as enjoyable any any (except the '94 RANGER STANLEY CUP!)
Way to go ladies, you are great.
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I would have been happy whichever team won. But after 20 years of defeats it proved to be time for the USA to do it, I guess.
I love Canada having enjoyed a train trip across Canada and loving the people who say "eh." They will be back.
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Well done!!!! This was the best news of the day.
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Great game lots of hockey fans including men loved the pace of,play individual and team skill.
I guess it was too much action for the Tweeter in Chief to watch or even tweet kudos.
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I never stay up past 11pm EST. Let alone to watch a hockey game starting at that time. But, we all had a feeling, right? Boy, was it ever worth losing sleep.
No disrespect to Maddie Rooney here; she sealed the win last night.
But, given the situation (Olympics, the 20-year drought, etc.), I believe Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson's final goal was the best "walk-off" score in any sport I have EVER seen -- golf, football, baseball, basketball, etc.
Is this what they call "undressing the goalie"?
Joycelyne, girl.
This Olympics has made me tear up a few times -- Kikkan Randall/Jessica Higgins, Lindsay Vonn. But, I can't believe I was alone with my tv at 2:30am, wiping tears away.
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The Canadians showed whatbpoor sports they can be when one refused to wear the medal. Grow up.
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I disagree. American hockey players (men) were criticized for exactly the same thing during the Vancouver games. The Canadian women shook their opponents hands, they accepted their medals. They don't have to be happy about it though and they don't have to have a phoney "it's just a game" attitude. Both teams have dedicated themselves to this one game and it's heartbreaking to come close but fail.
Let them be authentic. Bravo, Canada and Hurray USA.
3
Rematch in Beijing in four years.
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Decker took Poulin’s shoulder to the face, not her fist: 0:55 https://youtu.be/dRmZUNO4Y5s
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Yes, it was a forearm or a shoulder. Saying fist in the face is slightly slanted. Change that caption NYT!
Yes, but checking is not allowed in women's hockey. Body contact yes, but not shoulders targeted at heads. Head shots aren't even legal in the NHL.
3
I'm Canadian and I've been watching these girls battle it out for the past four Olympics. Both countries bring their A game to these finals and it's always exciting to watch. Of course I'm patriotic and I would have loved to see "our" girls win a fifth in a row but "your girls" won... and they did it in a dramatic shootout final that had me on the edge of my seat! Bravo USA women's hockey team! Well deserved!
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A most Canadian of responses!
5
Wow, what a match! Such stark differences in the playing styles, I appreciated the beauty that the USA women brought to the game. Excellent speed, slashing and passing. The keepers on both squads were truly amazing . When I think of the Olympics, I always imagine this level of skill. Bravo to both teams, no one needs to hang their head.
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Congratulations!! Brain and speed over brawn anytime.
2
Re "...using their skill and physicality to bully the Americans around the ice,..." Huh?? Wow, not the game that I saw. I'm befuddled that the Times got Sarah Huckabee Sanders to write its coverage of this game. The game I saw had US players interfering with play regularly and not being "noticed" by the refs. What, us worry? was the refs response to US players transgressions. And I'll have to go back to the story, but did your flag-wearing reporter mention the late 3rd period US tying goal, by the way? As for comments that Canadian players after the game weren't "polite" enough, hokey smoke, how much US women's hockey [& attitude] have YOU watched?
5
Congratulations to the entire excellent US women’s team. Pure skill won out over physical Canadian play. Even though so many Canadians come to study at US universities they haven’t figured out how to play with American finesse!
1
Well deserved kudo's to the players with a Wisconsin connection, but from a transplanted Minnesotan, big shout out to the Gopher and Bulldog members and alumni on the team as well! And within a day of Jesse Diggins making us proud in Cross Country skiing after a decades long wait. Skol, Minnesota!!
2
This article does not mention that the tying goal stretch pass to Lamoureaux was from Kelly Pannek, nor that Pannek came closest of all to ending the game within the first few minutes of OT, clanging a hard shot off the goal post!!!!
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Absolutely great game! A classic! Nobody should leave disappointed, everybody left everything they had in the ice, eh?
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In the name Lamoureux, there is the word amour, and the translation of the name is to be in love.
Luck is part of sports....and americans need a bit of luck right now.
Well done ladies.
1
Kind of a sluggish workday but, glad I watched it live with my Canadian friend. Stayed up another half hour to watch the medal ceremony. Congtats US women! Now, on WI!
3
So happy for the USA women! I watched every game and as a hockey player I appreciated their passing and patience with the puck.
They are truly olympians. Athletes not returning to multimillion dollar NHL contracts, but Americans that did it for the love of the sport. Also lets give them a hand for fighting USA Hockey for equal pay.
The final against Canada really tested them and they struggled to get their game together. As much as I hate seeing such a great game end in a shootout, it did and I think the better team won.
13
Most important fact left out of story: Nine current or former players for the University of Wisconsin were on the two teams. Four on Team USA and five for Team Canada. At the end of the regular season heading into the WCHA playoffs Wisconsin is ranked No. 1. I am disappointed this vital, relevant information was omitted from your article. On Wisconsin!
22
Badgermania !
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That's great! Go Badgers!
5
Go Badgers!!! On Wisconsin!!!
1
Woke up and caught the OT and SO. Fantastic hockey, and congrats to the fiery US team which truly dominated the OT period.
This, just like Ester Ledecka's Super G win, is the stuff that makes the Olympic games so rich and memorable!
2
It's nice to see the US women's hockey team called women rather than ladies, a label which so many other Olympic and professional sports persist in using despite having retired its counterpart 'gentlemen'. Congratulations, US Hockey!
10
I have always felt that both teams are the winners in tied games that are decided in this artificial fashion. It's too bad that it couldn't be left equal after the overtime period and award the gold to both teams as in the racing sports. That being said, the Canadians didn't cover themselves with glory with their brand of sportsmanship as displayed both during and after the game; if a U.S. team had behaved this way, there would have been complaints about ugly Americans and jingoism.
14
Hard to fall asleep after 2:00 a.m. after watching the game, hoping the five Cornell graduates on Canada would do well but that the US women would prevail. I would like to see a follow-up on the Lamoureax sisters, both apparently married, one with children, who bear a name that seems to say Canada! Also, an explanation of the pay issue; who exactly employs these US players and for how long -- the entire four years between the games? Do some also play in pro leagues? How come Rebecca Johnston (Cornell '06), for example, who plays for a Calgary pro team gets time off to be in Korea, but US male players get no time off from NHL?
4
A great game in an intense rivalry. Both teams played their hearts out and it could have gone either way really, like most of the Canada-USA games.
Congratulations to the American women on a well deserved victory.
A whole pack of Badgers won gold and silver last night!
5
I happened to bump into three of the US Women's Hockey team members in a local store parking lot before the last Olympics. They had USA Olympic team gear, but it didn't note which sport. I couldn't help but ask them about it and they were so nice in chatting with me about their training and USA Women's hockey. They made a fan out of me so I started watching them play during the last Olympics and enjoyed watching one of them continue this Olympics. Great ambassadors of the sport in both winning and losing. They play some really great hockey and I am very happy for their success. Thrilled to have them as role models and representatives of hockey and the USA.
12
I played on the first varsity women's college team in the 1970s. Watching last night's game filled me with pride at how far the game has come! I am humbled to think I had a small part in making the sport what it is today.
13
Congratulations to the USA team who played a fabulous game and deserved to win. America provides a wonderful and much appreciated rivalry in women's hockey.
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And to the Canadian team who proved a worthy adversary and played a beautiful and physical game, #TeamNorthAmerica
Loved the organic nature of the game - it was easy to see how much it meant to all the players. But it's still too bad a game with such high stakes must be determined by something as capricious as a shootout.
2
Canada's captain poulin played thug hockey and should be embarrassed. Great way to answer thug play by winning gold.
40
Oh my, when the USA plays hard physically it is attributed to the fiery nature of the players and game. When a Canadian player does it, she is called a thug. Didn't you notice that the play was reviewed by the referee and that no penalty was called?
I recall an incident in an earlier game where the Americans expressed their frustration by pushing around the Canadians in front of the Canadian goalie. That is part of the game, not thuggery, and the Canadians just shrugged it off.
1
Explain the difference between Poulin's hit on Decker versus the hits in the men's hockey games: the hit to USA's Ryan Donato by Slovakia's Michal Cajkovsky (received a match penalty) OR the hit Switzerland's Cody Almond delivered to the head of Germany’s Christian Ehrhoff (five-minute penalty).
That used to be part of the game, but CTE issues present an intelligent case as to why it shouldn't be now and isn't. They have concussion protocols and these penalties for a reason.
1
Congrats America. This is why you beat us once every 5 tries ;)
7
Two out of every six?
2
Graceful.
"This year’s gold medal game had it all — lead changes, slick passing, game-saving goaltending, a healthy dose of contact and a raucous crowd that traded dueling chants of “Canada” and “U.S.A.” all afternoon."
It's events like this one that makes the Olympics great. I've never been a hockey fan (because I never know where the dang hockey puck is) but witnessing the enthusiasm, team esprit de corps, the continuous chanting - how can anyone NOT be a fan and supporter of the US Women's Hockey Team? Those ladies truly played they hearts out. I still have goose bumps this morning from watching last night's game. And those Canadian players were equally fierce and marvelous. There's nothing like a long-standing sports rival that keeps the juices flowing. I am beyond thrilled for the U.S. Women's Hockey Team!
The American women have really been marvelous in this year's Olympic Games! Each one of their events were spectacular, exciting and thrilling. They are incredible role models and continue to do this country proud! Way to go ladies! You gals ROCK!!!!
39
A heart-stopping thriller. Amazing.
8
Congratulations to the U.S. women - they deserved to win.
25
Watched the game live throughout including the medal ceremony.
Even calling several more penalties on the Canadians, they could have called probably 7-10 more on them, especially the elbow on Dugghan, but the non-calls on the relentless 2-handers (slashing) on the Canadians I just don't get. That isn't allowed even in the NHL anymore, so why is it allowed in the women's game?
Anyway, the more deserving team won, congrats to them, the coaching staff, their families, and all involved.
21
Absolutely thrilling game to watch. One of the best rivalries in sports. Unbelievable passion from both teams. Reminds me of Canada/Russia games from the 70's. Congrats to USA women.
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Congratulation to our IIHF World and Olympic Gold hockey champions! I can't thank you enough for your hard work, determination, skills and grit! The 3rd and OT showcased everything that is great about the game of hockey! We love you and can't wait to welcome you back to USA Hockey Arena! USA Women's hockey is golden..., and how about receiving your medals from Angela Ruggiero! How cool was that...? Thanks for some truly great hockey, you are all stars!
9
Congratulation to our IIHF World Champions and Olympic Champions! It was an honor to watch!
4
Congratulations, Team USA. What a fantastic job. We are so proud of you.
13
Congrats USA ! A very entertaining game to watch
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Overall, an excellent, well-played game that could have gone either way. The U.S. hit a post in overtime while the Canadians put one off the crossbar. In the end, the U.S. goalie was probably the difference as Canada outchanced the Americans and had several seemingly sure goals denied on the doorstep. The U.S. women deserve credit for perseverance after so many heartbreaking losses in Olympic play. This rivalry will continue.
17
Bravo to the fierce female athletes for their victory. U.S. women, thanks to Title IX have ruled championships in baseball, basketball, soccer, and other sports. We now have professional women's sports teams because women play hard and are fun to watch. And these savvy hockey players just got a big pay raise. Women rock!
44
It is a great rivalry and long may it continue, but fists should not be a part of it.
23
That hit by Poulin on Decker should have been penalized as interference; not even close to a legal hit. A missed call here-and-there is normal, but this was egregious.
Was fascinated to discover they play a full 20-minute sudden death period skating 4-on-4. Exhausts me just thinking about it.
Well done, team! You certainly earned the right to be extremely proud.
8
Congrats US women on a gutsy win!
14
Congratulations, US Women's Hockey Team. Way to go.
10
This game ensured and delivered a fantastic tactical and brutal battle between the two world heavyweights of women's ice hockey. Four years from now, however, the silver-place team might receive their medals with more grace than this Canadian team. The Canadians should get a clue from the ecstatic third-place Finns taking their team picture with treasured bronze medals and wide grins. Any Olympic women's ice hockey competitor should be overwhelmed with pride to represent their country, whether bringing home golden hardware or not. Yes, emotions and the competitive spirit runs high, but in the end it's only a game.
34
Great game and either team deserved to win, but your comment on the Canadians' disappointment in getting the silver medal is entirely inappropriate - have you ever even watched these teams play in the last Olympics (or the 3 before) that the the Canadians won?. The American losers were not exactly thrilled with their silver medals were they? In the moment, no one is happy to lose.
4
Only a game? Not in Canada! It's the culture. And congrats to the U.S. women, they earned that victory.
6
Did you see the U.S. women's team in Sochi four years ago? This rivalry is too intense for that. That's like a U.S. men's basketball team smiling while receiving Olympic silver medals? Never gonna happen.
4
Rooney was amazing in the shootout. Well done to the whole team.
13