A goal? Constant pressure? A power play? No. Sweden finally registered their first shot on goal.
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Sweden managed to fire more pucks in the direction of the U.S. net during Monday’s one-sided semifinal, but Sweden came no closer to challenging the U.S. than any other opponent in Milan. Five different U.S. players scored and goaltender Erin Frankel recorded her team’s fifth consecutive shutout as the U.S. defeated Sweden 5-0 to advance to the gold-medal match against Canada on Thursday at 1:10 p.m. ET.
US forward Taylor Heise said, “We put on a show every time we go out there because we love playing hockey.” “From the outside, you can’t even understand how well the guys do their job in that locker room. And that’s why we’re coming out and winning on a daily basis.”
Swedish coach Ulf Lundberg said, “Today, maybe we needed a plexiglass in front of our net to stay in the game.”
America’s neighbor to the north is the current Olympic champion, but they too could not put up much of a fight against America in the group games. Playing without injured captain Marie-Philippe Poulin, Canada lost 5–0 to the Americans. This was the first time Canada was shutout during the Olympics.
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That game was indicative of how these Olympics have gone. The Americans swept the gold medal match, outscoring their opponents 31–1, and not allowing a goal in 16 consecutive games.
The only goal surrendered by the US was a shaky goal in the opening game of group play. Czechia’s Barbora Jurikova fouled out of the penalty box just as the U.S. gained possession of the puck, creating a breakaway opportunity that resulted in the only blemish against the Americans’ record.
American forward Kendall Coyne Schofield said, “I’ve been on a lot of teams throughout my career, but there’s something special about this.” “I think ultimately how fun it is to be in that locker room and how everyone is willing to do anything for this team, no matter the role.”
Sweden women were not expected to reach the hockey medal round, but they arrived in Milan with a point to prove. In group-stage play, Olympic organizers placed the five highest-ranked teams in Group A and the remaining five teams in Group B. Sweden viewed the Group B position as an insult, considering that it was one of the medal hopes.
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In its opening five matches in Milan, Sweden won all three of the season. It advanced to group play, winning all four games by three goals each. Then, it took advantage of its first crack at a higher-ranked opponent and ousted bronze medal contenders Czechia in the quarterfinals.
And yet as impressive as Sweden was in Milan, their semi-final challenge against the US was of a different kind. According to BetMGM, Sweden was a 28-to-1 underdog to win the game outright. A Swedish victory would have been the equivalent in women’s hockey of the New York Giants holding the New England Patriots by the helmet or Buster Douglas defeating Mike Tyson.
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The United States sent an early message that no one would be bothered by a first-period goal just five minutes before the game started. Kayla Barnes’ wrist shot from above the right faceoff circle beat Swedish goaltender Svensson Traf gloveside. There was a swarm of bodies in front of the net, which may have made it difficult for Trafs to see the puck.
It remained 1-0 till the second period. Then the avalanche started.
The U.S. converted a 2-on-1 fast break when Hannah Bilka drove to the net and set up Taylor Heise, whose shot somehow went through the net. A few minutes later, Abbey Murphy made it 3–0 with a rocket from close range to beat Traff at a difficult angle. By the end of the second period, it was 5–0 after goals from Coyne Scofield and Hayley Scamurra.
The Americans arrived in Milan on a “gold-or-bust” mission. Now they are one win away from achieving what they came here for.
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“We’re very excited to bring what we have on Thursday,” Heise said. “When we focus on what we can do, we are very good.”
Watch all the live updates, highlights and more from the U.S. women’s win over Sweden in the Olympic hockey tournament semifinals:
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Ian Castleberry
With a 5–0 lead with six minutes remaining, it appeared Team USA would advance to the gold medal game. They will face the winner of Canada-Switzerland, beginning at 3:10 pm ET.
A potential United States vs. Canada game for the gold medal is exactly what women’s ice hockey fans from those countries would have expected going into the 2026 Winter Olympics.
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Ian Castleberry
If you’re just checking in, Team USA holds a 5-0 lead over Sweden as their semifinal match goes into the third period. If they advance, the United States will play for the gold medal.
Kayla Barnes, Taylor Heise, Abby Murphy, Kendall Coyne and Hayley Scamura have lit the lamp for Team USA, which has had 24 shots on goal.
Hillary Knight will set an American Olympic record in women’s ice hockey with her next goal. At 14 years old, she is currently tied with Natalie Darwitz and Katie King.
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Ian Castleberry
There are no surprises with a 5-0 lead, but the United States is leading Sweden after two periods. However, the lead was not as large as might have been anticipated as Team USA made 24 shots to Sweden’s 15.
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chris quick
Early in the second period, it looked like Sweden was going to make it a game. After trailing 13-2 in the first period, Sweden attacked early in the second period.
As the period progressed, Team USA weathered the early onslaught before taking the offensive stance. Taylor Heise made the breakthrough to put the Americans up 2-0.
After a few minutes of no scoring, Team USA decided to go on a scoring barrage. The team scored three goals in three minutes, one of which came just after Sweden changed goalkeepers.
USA team is leading 5-0 in the third round. A win would send the Americans to the gold medal game.
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chris quick
Abby Murphy received a penalty late in the second period for goalkeeper interference. Sweden goaltender Emma Soderberg was behind the net when Murphy collided with her, sending Soderberg onto the ice.
There was a delayed penalty, and Murphy was called for the penalty after Team USA gained control of the puck. But Sweden were also called for a penalty after Jessica Adolfsson retaliated against Murphy.
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chris quick
Team Sweden is struggling after a great start from Team USA. After falling 4–0 to Sweden in the second period, the team decided to swap goaltenders.
Sweden fouled Ebba Svensson Traf after being ejected from the game. She was replaced by Emma Soderbergh.
It didn’t take long for the Americans to score on Soderbergh. With 2:01 left, Hayley Scamurra scored a goal to put Team USA up 5–0.
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chris quick
Defensive failure leads to another goal for Team USA. As the Americans struggled to gain control of the puck deep in Sweden’s zone, Abby Murphy found an open gap in the defense.
Murphy found himself open when the puck arrived and then beat the Swedish goaltender for a 3-0 lead.
It didn’t take long for Layla Edwards to get in on the action. Shortly after Murphy’s score, Edwards scored to make it 4–0 less than four minutes into the second period.
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chris quick
This is the goal that put Team USA ahead 2-0 in the second round.
Hannah Bilka found Taylor Heise, who managed to swing the puck around the goalie’s pads to take the goal.
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chris quick
Team USA found itself at a disadvantage, but managed to survive again. Another power play by Sweden resulted in no score, allowing the Americans to maintain a 2–0 lead in the second period.
Team USA almost scored a goal despite being down a player, as they managed to score. However, Sweden’s goalkeeper made a save to make the score 2–0.
Sweden has narrowed the margin of shots on goal, and played better in the second period, but Team USA’s attack has proven too relentless so far.
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chris quick
Sweden was able to make two shots but Team USA was able to avoid Sweden’s power play on the second shot.
Immediately after the penalty, Team USA almost scored their second goal.
However, it did not take long for Americans to convert. After almost an offside penalty, Hannah Bilka found Taylor Heise on a two-on-one. Heise’s shot hit the Sweden goaltender’s pads before falling into the goal for his second score of the game.
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chris quick
About six minutes into the second period, Sweden appeared to have taken hold. After registering only two shots in the first period, Sweden increased that number to eight shots early in the second quarter.
Sweden is actually ahead in shots with a 6-2 lead early in the period.
Furthermore, Team Sweden has just gone on the power play and will try to tie the score at 1-1 while maintaining the lead.
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chris quick
After a quick break, the second period gets underway. Sweden immediately showed some life and got their third shot of the game early in the period.
After another shot by Sweden, a fight almost broke out on the ice. Cooler heads prevailed, but Sweden looked much more enthusiastic to start the second period.
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chris quick
The first round couldn’t have gone any better for Team USA. The Americans are 1-0 in this period after defeating Sweden 13-2.
Team USA dominated the period and spent a lot of time putting pressure on Sweden’s defense. To Sweden’s credit, it got most of the work done. An early goal from Kayla Barnes put Team USA ahead, but Sweden was able to hold on for the rest of the period.
Although Sweden did not have many moments of attack during this period, the team threatened late, almost scoring on their second shot of the game.
Although it was an encouraging start for the Americans, Sweden’s late rally was a reminder that it was still a one-score game. If Team USA wants to win this match easily, it will have to capitalize on more of its shots in the second period.
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chris quick
Nearly three quarters of the first period, and Team USA is dominating Sweden. While the US only leads 1-0, Team USA has a massive lead in shots on goal.
With 6:37 minutes left in the period, Team USA has 9 shots on goal. Sweden has only one.
Team USA did a great job of attacking Sweden’s defense and preventing Sweden from clearing the puck in their own zone. If Team Sweden wants to win over the Americans, they will have to find a way to reduce that deficit.
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chris quick
Here’s the shot that gave Team USA the early lead over Sweden.
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chris quick
Team USA is off to a great start against Sweden. With 14:51 left in the first period, Kayla Barnes hit a long-range shot to put the US ahead 1–0.
It was a key possession for Team USA, who spent a lot of time in Sweden’s zone before the goal. Despite Sweden’s best efforts, the team could not clear the puck. Team USA moved the puck well during possession before Barnes connected on the goal.
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chris quick
Here it is! The battle of the undefeated teams is officially underway between Team USA and Sweden. The winner will advance to the gold medal game. The loser will play for bronze.
Team USA won the opening possession, but the game was immediately stopped after an ice call seven seconds into the contest.
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yahoo sports staff
Knight is on the verge of making history as she is tied for the most Olympic goals scored in women’s hockey with 14.
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