US Women’s Hockey Coach Criticizes Officiating in Tense Victory Over Italy
The United States women’s hockey team showcased their dominance at the 2026 Winter Olympics, continuing their impressive run. However, tensions flared during a match against Italy, prompting head coach John Wroblewski to voice concerns over officiating.
Wroblewski Criticizes Officiating After Victory Over Italy
In a decisive 6-0 victory over Italy on February 13, 2026, Wroblewski made headlines for highlighting perceived inconsistencies in game officiating. The quarterfinal match took place at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena in Milan.
Key Match Events
Things intensified late in the second period when forward Hannah Bilka scored and collided with Italian goalie Gabriella Durante. This incident ignited a team-wide scuffle behind the net, featuring notable players like Abbey Murphy and Franziska Stocker.
- Score: USA 6, Italy 0
- Date: February 13, 2026
- Venue: Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena, Milan, Italy
- Key Players:
- Hannah Bilka – scored the sixth goal
- Abbey Murphy – involved in the altercation
- Franziska Stocker – Italian player involved
Wroblewski’s Frustration
Wroblewski expressed his dissatisfaction with how officiating seemed to favor certain teams. He argued that less skilled teams often escape penalties for physical play that would typically result in penalization against teams with greater skill or depth.
“They’re not supposed to remove a player from the puck with force except while playing the puck,” Wroblewski stated. He emphasized that this was an ongoing issue, impacting fair play.
Player Reactions
Taylor Heise, who contributed an assist in the match, described the game atmosphere as “a little spicy.” She noted that adaptability was key for the U.S. team to achieve success against the Italians.
Despite the on-ice tensions, the victory propels the U.S. team into the semifinals, where the pursuit of a gold medal intensifies.
