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The United States conceded a goal for the first time in three games and was on the back foot for the first time in this tournament. However, the defending gold medalists persevered through the adversity with a 5-3 win over Finland on Saturday at the Adirondack Bank Center to improve to 3-0 in Group A of the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship.
Utica, New York — Team USA’s title defense remained flawless through three qualifying rounds for the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship, falling 5-3 to Finland at Adirondack Bank Center despite being truly tested for the first time in the tournament. We fought to win. Saturday.
Last year’s gold medalists faced some firsts at this tournament, conceding their first goal and trailing for the first time, but Elisa Holovainen found the back of the net on a power play to put Finland within one just 6 minutes and 54 seconds into the tournament. He took the top spot with -0. game.
However, although the noisy crowd temporarily quieted down, it didn’t take long for fans to get back on their feet. Team USA responded just 1:04 later when Abby Murphy scored her first goal of the tournament, tapping in the puck that spilled into the crease from a shot by Hannah Birka. Caroline Harvey earned a secondary assist on this play.
”[The early deficit] We welcome you,” Team USA head coach John Wroblewski said. A little adversity can strengthen a group and give it an opportunity to come together. It gives you something to fall back on and it’s very important for these young players to gain experience on the fly. ”
Then, at the 18:16 mark of the second half of the frame, Hilary Knight, aka Captain America, nailed a top-shelf slap shot off the power play, scoring her second goal of this year’s Women’s World Championship and giving the U.S. a 2-0 lead. gave him a lead of 1. . Lyla Edwards and Taylor Heise assisted on the winning goal.
But Finland did not back down. With just 24.8 seconds left in the opening frame, Holopainen scored his second goal of the night, beating Airin Frankel on a snap shot from the slot. The American team contested the goal, citing goaltender interference, but upon review, the goal stood, and the teams remained deadlocked at 2-2 after one period of play.
In the second one, Haise was sent to the penalty box on a hooking call at 5:34 into the frame. After the penalty expired and he left the box, Heise took to the ice and fired a wrist shot inside the far post on the blocker’s side for his second goal of the tournament, putting Stars and Stripes back in the lead at 3-2, 7. Murphy had the only assist on Heise’s goal.
“The amount of effort that went into it today doesn’t just show up on the scoreboard,” Heise said of the challenge from Finland. “I think the adversity that we faced made our penalty kill better, our power play better, I think our game got better.” [cleaning up of] The turnovers for both blue lines were much better, especially at the end of the game. So just by looking at it, you know you’re going to get a positive outcome. ”

The U.S. team celebrated on center ice Saturday after defeating Finland 5-3 in the Group A qualifying round at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica.
Just 3 minutes and 58 seconds after Heise’s goal, Kendall Coyne Schofield gave the Americans insurance, scoring their second fifth hole of the tournament with a shot through a screen from the faceoff dot to put Team USA 4-2. And so. He was credited with an assist after Haley Wynn sent a bounce pass that hit the wall to Coyne Schofield in the neutral zone.
Finland then pulled one back with 38.2 seconds left, when Sofianna Sandelin hit a backhand on a breakaway, sending her team to the locker room with a heartbreaking 4-3 lead after two periods.
In the third, it won’t take long for the US to regain its two-goal cushion. Coyne Schofield parked himself outside the crease, took a backdoor feed from Alex Carpenter, and fired his second goal of the game, and third of the tournament, into the back of the net for the winning goal. Hilary Knight hit the post with her own chance a few seconds earlier to get the secondary assist.
“clearly [Finland] We came out of the streak strong with a quick turnaround,” Coyne Schofield said.[We had an] The incredible crowd helped us overcome some early adversity. I think after the first period, through special teams, we settled in, got some momentum, stringed together some shifts, fought hard and finished the way we should have. ”
Team USA negated four penalties and allowed two goals on the man advantage in this game.
Frankel made nine saves and earned his second win of the tournament.
The defending champions will take Sunday off and return to action for the final qualifying game against rival Canada at Adirondack Bank Center on Monday at 7 p.m.
More scores from IIHF Women’s World Championship, Saturday:
- Germany 4, Japan 1 (Group B)
Due to broadcast rights restrictions, NEWSChannel 2 is unable to post game news coverage highlights during the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship.
Click on the video above for the post-game interview from Wednesday’s game
Click on the video below for highlights brought to you by IIHF and TSN
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