MILAN – Kendall Coyne Schofield has experienced this moment before, and it still feels surreal. The four-time Olympian has participated in three previous gold-medal matches against Canada, including a remarkable 3-2 shootout win at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang.
As the puck drops at 1:10 p.m. ET (USA Network | Peacock) on Thursday at Milano Santagiulia Arena, the U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team understands the significance of the occasion.
“It is electric,” Coyne Schofield remarked. “The stakes are elevated. The atmosphere in the arena is incredibly intense. It is the most exhilarating game you will participate in. It is the moment you envision. I know we are prepared. We have been training for this moment. I am eager for it to arrive.”
The United States has been dominant in Milan. The team has not conceded a goal in 331:23 – an Olympic record – and has allowed only one goal across six games. The undefeated Americans have outshot their opponents 254-95 and boast an Olympic-best 31 goals, with Hannah Bilka leading the way with four. Fifteen different players from Team USA have scored.
“You just want to be in a flow state and simply play hockey,” captain Hilary Knight stated. “There has been extensive preparation that has led us to the final game, and we hope to maintain our positive trajectory with all the tools we have at our disposal. Ultimately, it is incredibly special. I cannot express enough how remarkable this group is; I wish you could be in the room with us to truly experience it all.
“It seems that we are advancing the pace and style of the game with this team, and that is truly special to be a part of. The way we can read off one another and the speed at which we play together is genuinely enjoyable.”
Lee Stecklein, a four-time U.S. Olympian, noted that all statistics and recent performances are irrelevant when it comes to the gold-medal match.
“We are an exceptional team,” Stecklein commented. “We are skilled and quick, and while that is impressive, the game ahead is an entirely new challenge. It is crucial for us to reset, as we will encounter something we have never faced as a team before, and we must be fully prepared to meet that challenge.”
Caroline Harvey has been at the forefront of Team USA’s offense, setting a record for American defenders with seven assists and two goals while driving the pace of play.
After being sidelined at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing and limited to just 62 seconds of play in the gold-medal game loss to Canada, Harvey has made a strong comeback at the Milan Olympics.
Harvey acknowledged that Thursday’s game is a fresh start, but the U.S. is certainly brimming with confidence at this juncture.
“We're starting from a clean slate,” Harvey stated. “It's like a completely different game. Now anyone can win, anyone can lose, so there is definitely great confidence in knowing we can (win). However, when the moment arrives, there will be nerves, excitement, and a lot of emotion in the arena. So, we must remain level-headed and recognize what we have in the room and on our team, but we just need to take care of business.”
Aerin Frankel has been outstanding in goal for Team USA. The 26-year-old leads the Olympics with a record three shutouts and has saved 67 of 68 shots.
“The team is performing so well defensively that they are making my job easier by making the plays in front of me predictable, allowing me to do my job,” Frankel said. “When we reflect on this tournament, what we have accomplished so far has been remarkable.
“But the job is not finished yet.”
Hayley Scamurra, a member of the 2022 silver-medal U.S. team, is determined to secure that elusive gold medal after scoring three goals already in Milan.
“I want it so much,” Scamurra expressed. “I desire it more than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life. The entire team shares the same sentiment. This has been our ultimate goal, and we are one step away from achieving it.”
Coyne Schofield believes the U.S. is prepared to demonstrate its capabilities in the most significant game in women’s hockey.
“The gold medal mindset is that we are ready for this moment,” Coyne Schofield stated. “We have been working towards this moment. It is time to showcase all that effort, and we have demonstrated that throughout the tournament. It will be a continuation of everything we have invested for this moment.”
The stage and challenge have arrived. Defeating Canada in an Olympic gold-medal match for the third time since the rivalry began in 1998 will bring the gold medal home.
“It’s a lot of pressure,” Stecklein concluded. “One shot for gold, and if you miss it, you have to wait four years, if you are fortunate enough to be there again. It is a completely different kind of pressure, but this group is ready, and if we concentrate on ourselves and play the right way, that’s all we can do, and hopefully that will lead to our success.”
KNIGHT PROPOSES TO BOWE
Earlier on Wednesday, Hilary Knight proposed to her partner and fellow Olympian Brittany Bowe, sharing the engagement on social media.
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