Canada And US To Extend Rivalry, Contest Women's Ice Hockey Gold

MILAN, Feb 17 (Bernama-dpa) -- Reigning champions Canada will once again face the United States (US) in the women's ice hockey gold medal match at the Milan/Cortina Winter Games, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.

Canada advanced after a tight 2-1 win against Switzerland on Monday.

The US secured a 5-0 win against Sweden with goals from Cayla Barnes, Taylor Heise, Abbey Murphy, Kendall Coyne, and Hayley Scamurra. The last three goals came in a three-minute burst in the second period.

The US topped their Group A and beat Canada 5-0 in the preliminary round. They have not conceded a goal since their 5-1 win against Czech Republic in the tournament opener. 

The women's event was introduced in 1998 and since then, either the US or Canada have won gold.

The US took the highest place on the podium in 1998 and 2018.

Canada won their first gold in 2002 and since then have only lost one final – the 2018 – to their arch rival, the US. 

Only the gold medal match at Turin 2006 had a different team involved, with Sweden claiming silver.

-- BERNAMA-dpa