Sochi Watch: U.S. women fall to Canada, still advance to semifinals

By Michael Caples –

After starting the 2014 Winter Games with wins over Finland and Switzerland, the U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team experienced their first loss in Sochi today, thanks to their main rival.

Canada scored three goals in the third period to earn a 3-2 win over the United States in the latest showdown between the two women’s hockey powerhouses. With the loss, Team USA will be the No. 2 seed in the medal round, and they will find out who they play in Monday’s semifinal round later this weekend.

Hilary Knight (Sun Valley, Idaho) and Anne Schleper (St. Cloud, Minn.) scored for the U.S., while Jessie Vetter (Cottage Grove, Wis.) stopped 28 of the 31 shots she faced in the contest.

Knight’s first period goal stood as the only tally through 40 minutes, but Team Canada responded with two goals in the first 3:54 of the third period to take control of the contest. Meghan Agosta and Hayley Wickenheiser scored those goals for Canada, and Agosta added another strike on a breakaway at the 14:55 mark of the third.

With the Americans’ net vacated for an extra attacker, Schleper scored at the 18:55 mark to pull the U.S. within one, but that would be the way the game would end.

Team USA will learn who they will take on in the semifinals after the conclusion of the quarterfinals, which take place on Saturday.