Hilary Knight Equals US Olympic Goal Record in Dominant Win Over Finland

Hilary Knight achieved a significant milestone during the Milan Cortina Games, tying the U.S. Olympic women’s hockey career goal record. In a dominant performance, Knight’s scoring contributed to a 5-0 victory over Finland. The win was particularly meaningful as Knight appeared in her fifth Olympic Games at the age of 36, solidifying her status as USA Hockey’s most decorated female athlete.

Hilary Knight Ties Olympic Goal Record

On Saturday night, Knight scored her 14th Olympic goal, equaling the record set by Natalie Darwitz and Katie King. The milestone goal came at 9:17 in the second period, putting the Americans ahead 4-0. Knight expressed her passion for scoring, stating, “I just love scoring and just the pure elation of finding the back of the net.”

Game Highlights and Team Performance

The match showcased the strength of the U.S. team, who improved their record against Finland to 11-0 in Olympic play. Defender Megan Keller contributed significantly with one goal and two assists, while teammates Alex Carpenter, Taylor Heise, and Abbey Murphy also found the back of the net.

• Final Score: USA 5 – Finland 0
• Goals by:
  • Hilary Knight – 1 goal (14th Olympic goal)
  • Megan Keller – 1 goal, 2 assists
  • Alex Carpenter – 1 goal
  • Taylor Heise – 1 goal
  • Abbey Murphy – 1 goal
• Goalkeeper Performance:
  • Aerin Frankel (USA) – 11 saves, 1 shutout in 2 Olympic games
  • Sanni Ahola (Finland) – 44 saves

Despite being affected by a norovirus outbreak earlier in the week, the Finnish team managed to compete at full strength. Four players had been symptomatic, leading to delays in their preparation. Finnish defender Jenni Hiirikoski acknowledged the strength of the U.S. team but expressed pride in her team’s effort.

VVIP Attendance and Reactions

U.S. Vice President JD Vance attended the game, supporting his daughter Mirabel and joining in the lively atmosphere. The excitement was palpable as the crowd cheered for Knight’s record-tying goal. Vance’s presence also drew attention due to the inclusion of former U.S. champions like Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux, highlighting a strong show of support for the team.

Other Group A Results

In other notable matches from Group A, Canada also secured a victory with a 4-0 win over Switzerland. The defending Olympic champions relied on power-play goals from Natalie Spooner, Sarah Fillier, and Julia Gosling to clinch their opener.

Looking Ahead

As the tournament continues, the U.S. team remains a strong contender. Knight’s next goal will elevate her above two of the game’s legends, further marking her extraordinary career in women’s hockey. Fans worldwide will be closely watching how she and the team progress in the competition.