USA vs Canada ice hockey final live: Women’s gold medal game scoreless after one period in Winter Olympics
The world’s top two teams compete in the latest instalment in a bitter US-Canada rivalry in Milan on Thursday
The women’s ice hockey tournament at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics comes to a head today as the USA and Canada face off for gold in a blockbuster grudge match.
The two teams are the most dominant in the world and have contested six of the seven Olympic finals, as well as 23 of 24 World Championship finals.
Canada are the reigning Olympic champions, claiming their fifth title in Beijing 2022, but the USA romped to a 5-0 victory in the group stage to take the advantage into Thursday’s grudge match.
The US hammered Sweden 5-0 too in their semi-final to make the showpiece event, improving to a 6-0 record and an impressive 31-1 scoring record. Meanwhile Canada saw off Switzerland 2-1, with three-time gold medallist Marie-Philip Poulin scoring twice to become the all-time leading goalscorer in women’s Olympic competition.
The final will likely be the exclamation point of an action-packed evening of sport, with Team GB also fighting for a medal in their men’s curling semi-final against Switzerland.
Follow all the action from the women’s ice hockey final and other sports with The Independent’s live blog below:
Men's curling semi-finals: Switzerland 0-0 GB
Switzerland start with the hammer, giving GB the objective of at the very least preventing a flying start for their opponents.
At one point it looked like GB were at risk of giving away a couple points, but after a bit of drama that saw Mouat and his counterpart get mixed up trying to sweep each other’s stone out of the house, the Brits manage to prevent any real damage from being done.
No animosity after the tumble - a nice change given the shadow that’s been cast over curling at these Games - and Switzerland blank the first end.
Women's ice hockey final: Goalless between USA and Canada after first period
A big scare at the end for Canada as the USA see an effort just go the wrong side of the post, and that’s all she wrote for the first period!
Still all to play for in this gold medal match.
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-0 Canada
1st period
20 mins: With 14.1 seconds left, the US are playing their first power play.
Canada’s goal will be simply to get out of the first period unscathed.
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-0 Canada
1st period
18 mins: Canada get the power play but it’s the US who are beginning to really probe.
The defending champions are looking a tad ragged and are getting caught out by the backdoor pass that is allowed the US to break away on the counter.
Some huge defensive recoveries prevent any real damage from being done to Desbiens’ goal.
The US have had five shots, Canada have had eight. This game is so finely balanced.
Men's curling semi-finals: Switzerland vs GB
Both teams shake hands and are onto the ice. We are just about to get underway.
Now or never for GB’s curling medal hopes.
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-0 Canada
1st period
14 mins: HUGE chances in succession for Canada, who finally get through that US block.
Frankel makes a massive stop with her shoulder to deny Stacey - there was a bit of space above the Americans shoulder pad, but Stacey just couldn’t find the corner.
The defending champion then come close again, but just can’t find the net.
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-0 Canada
1st period
12 mins: Still goalless in Milan but Canada are getting a few more looks on net. Their trouble is getting it through those big American defenders.
Four shots apiece so far - but the longer this stays goalless, the more USA will need to really dig in.
Men's curling semi-finals: T-minus 10 minutes!
Just under 10 minutes until Bruce Mouat’s rink bids to keep Team GB’s curling medal hopes alive in the men’s semi-final against Switzerland.
Can they avenge the women’s heartbreak? Or will it be more misery for the Brits?
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-0 Canada
1st period
6 mins: Both teams just trying to get the wheels going in these first few minutes. Four shots at goal so far for the Americans, two for the Canadians.
Team USA came closest after breaking forward but it was a good pad save from Desbiens to keep the score goalless.
The US are then caught with too many players on the ice, allowing Canada to start from the penalty zone.
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