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The best American player in women’s hockey had reached a tipping point. 4 years ago, Hilary Knight found it very difficult to accept that the USA had lost to Canada in the Sochi Olympics’ gold-medal game. The American had been ahead with a score of 2 - 0 with just 4 minutes left in play before going on to lose in overtime.
Would it be Worth it to Try Again?
After losing two Olympic finals, Knight reflected on if it was worth another 4-year slog to compete at the South Korean Pyeongchang Games that open on the 9th of February this year.
The answer came 6 months after the Sochi Game fiasco, in the very same arena that the Miracle on Ice happened back in 1980. Knight was busy coaching children at Lake Placid, in New York, while the American under-22 and under-18 women’s hockey teams exercised.
She spent a little time observing the next generation of female players pushing the puck across the ice, and knew then and there that she was not done. She said the team USA jerseys and the hard work these young women were putting in made her mind up for her.
Hard Work Before the Games Begin
As the world of betting heats up in preparation for the Winter Olympics, with even those of us who usually prefer to play the online pokies NZ has to offer putting them aside to wager on who will win, Knight and her teammates are working hard. Their goal is to capture the Olympic gold medal for the first time in 20 years. They recently suffered a defeat of 3 - 1 against the Canadians at the SAP center, but this has made them all the more determined!
Knight Will No Doubt be Front and Centre
Knight had a hand in the American team’s only goal as the Canadians dominated in the last meeting between the two teams on the The Time is Now Tour. The US team will be playing their 8th and last Olympic tune-up game against Canada this coming Sunday, with the game set to take place in Edmonton, Alberta.
Knight will almost definitely be in the centre of the action as it unfolds in Pyeongchang. The USA and Canada are scheduled for play on the 15th of February, in an opening game in a loaded Group A. The group also includes Finland and Russia, and all 4 countries have previously managed to reach the World Championship semifinals each time.
Only 1 Olympic Title for the USA So Far
Although team USA are the 4-time reigning world champions, they have only won an Olympic title once, back in 1998. They defeated the Canadians in the first women’s Olympic tournament, but have since then finished second, with their rivals in the north taking the win 3 times. Both teams have also participated in all of the 27 World Championship final games.
Knight speaks of their rivalry being the most beautiful one in sport, but is quick to say that it isn’t friendly. She says that no matter what kind of personal relationship the women making up the squads may have, when the jersey comes out it’s Team USA every step of the way!
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URL: http://www.whockey.com/news/2018/HilaryKnight.html