USA vs Canada ice hockey final live: Canada lead 1-0 over US as Winter Olympics gold medal game enters third period
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 4-2 GB
Britain are back with the hammer but things don’t completely go their way heading into the final stages of the fifth end, with Mouat’s attempt at a takeout just coming short.
Switzerland then look to try and draw round the reds in guard and place a yellow into the four foot - it ends up going a tad heavy but they’ll settle for the six foot.
GB’s final stone in response goes beyond the button and the four foot but they do get a point on the board as it stops in the six foot.
Even still, it’s advantage Switzerland.
Women's ice hockey final: Canada lead USA after second period
Another huge save to deny Fillier keeps the USA’s deficit at just one - and there goes the buzzer.
Canada see out the second and will go into the final period in pole position for gold. But given how quickly this match has moved, you get the feeling things could change like that.
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-1 Canada
2nd period
18 mins: This game has been so fast and while the US had upped the ante, it’s their keeper that has kept them in this final.
A game-saving stop denies Fillier before the stopper stands firm and prevents the puck from sneaking under her.
Canada are anything but home and dry yet. But the US are running out of time in the second period.
Men's curling semi-finals: Switzerland 4-2 GB
Switzerland get the upper hand in the fourth end but it’s not like GB aren’t putting pressure on them.
A wonderful double takeout from Hardie saw a British red become the only stone in the house, even if that was temporary.
However, GB just let it slip away after their clearance of the house opens up the opportunity for Switzerland to score two with their final stone - and they do just that.
The Brits will be disappointed with that.
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-1 Canada
2nd period
5 mins: How have the US not equalised?!
The goal is gaping Curl but as she swings her stick, she finds herself under pressure from a Canada body and fires agonisingly wide from close range.
With just over five minutes to play, that miss could be pivotal - but it is ALL Team USA right now.
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-1 Canada
2nd period
12 mins: The US are in the ascendency after falling behind. They’ve upped the ante and are really looking the most likely to score next at this rate.
The Americans boast more possession over the past five minutes and have had 14 shots to Canada’s 11.
Men's curling semi-finals: Switzerland 2-2 GB
With the hammer, it’s a perfect response from Team GB, who produce the takeouts when it matters.
GB went into their final stone with red in the four-foot, though Switzerland had put themselves in a decent position themselves after getting ahead of the guard.
But the Brits ensure there are no steals this time, knocking one yellow out of play and drifting another red into the button to seal two points. And we’re all square!
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-1 Canada
2nd period
12 mins: Two huge opportunities to equalise go begging for the US.
The first falls to Bilka, who just shoots too high after having it put on a plate for her by Murphy.
But a couple minutes later, it’s Wynne who has the goal at her mercy but the American is denied by the keeper. The puck fell to the best player from a Canadian perspective - Wynne is not exactly a heavy goalscorer.
Then up the other end, Canada look to capitalise on the US’ missed chances and so nearly force it over the line - but it’s smothered by the stopper!
Zoe Atkin shoots to top of leaderboard after first halfpipe freeski qualifying run
GB’s Zoe Atkin just kicked off her halfpipe freeski campaign and produced a very impressive first qualifying run!
She records a score of 91.50 and comfortably shifts into first place.
Defending Olympic champion Eileen Gu also fell on her first run.
GOAL! Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-1 Canada
2nd period
1 min: Within a minute of the restart, the USA’s resistance is broken!
Stacey breaks forward before squaring it to O’Neill, who shows incredible poise to control the puck, cut across the American defender and slide into the net.
The reigning Olympic champions have the lead!
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