usa hockey olympics: U.S. Women Rout Sweden, Set Up Gold Medal Rematch with Canada
The U. S. women’s hockey team continued its overwhelming run in Milan with a 5-0 semifinal win over Sweden, booking a spot in the gold-medal game against Canada. Five different American players scored and goaltender Aerin Frankel stopped 23 shots as the U. S. extended a string of shutout-dominated play that has left opponents scrambling for answers.
Dominance continues in Milan
From the opening minutes the U. S. imposed its will, with Cayla Barnes breaking through just over five minutes into the first period. The Americans controlled possession, outshooting Sweden and generating sustained pressure in the offensive zone. Taylor Heise, Abbey Murphy, Kendall Coyne Schofield and Hayley Scamurra added goals, illustrating the roster depth that has been the hallmark of this team throughout the tournament.
Frankel’s 23-save shutout capped another dominant performance in goal. The Americans have outscored opponents 31-1 across six games and have not conceded a goal in more than 331 minutes of game time, a streak that has spanned 16 consecutive periods. Players and coaches pointed to commitment to roles and systematic play as the reason the team keeps piling up lopsided results.
“We put on a show every time we’re out there because we love to play hockey, ” forward Taylor Heise said. Forward Kendall Coyne Schofield added that what sets this group apart is a locker room built on buy-in: “Everyone is willing to do whatever it takes for this team, no matter what the role is. ”
Sweden’s surprising run meets a reality check
Sweden arrived in the semifinals riding an unexpected wave. Placed in Group B and motivated by the snub, the Swedes won their pool convincingly, taking each of their four group games by sizable margins and then shutting out a higher-ranked Czechia team in the quarterfinals. Their path to the medal round had been one of the tournament’s more compelling storylines.
Still, facing the U. S. proved a different challenge. The Swedes managed to increase their shot totals over the course of the game but never truly threatened the American net. Coach Ulf Lundberg captured the mismatch bluntly after the loss: “Maybe we needed a plexiglass in front of our net to stay in the game. ” Oddsmakers had listed Sweden as a long shot to pull off an upset, and by the end of the night the gulf between the teams was clear.
Looking ahead: a familiar gold-medal rematch
Thursday’s final sets up a classic North American rivalry. The U. S. will play Canada in the gold-medal game at 1: 10 p. m. ET, renewing a matchup that has defined Olympic women’s hockey for decades. Canada, the reigning Olympic champion, was shut out by the U. S. 5-0 earlier in group play while missing its injured captain; both teams have since tightened and sharpened their lines, but the two nations remain the event’s preeminent powers.
For the Americans, the semifinal performance was another demonstration of the team’s balance — scoring threats up and down the lineup and a goaltender delivering timely saves. Head coach John Wroblewski emphasized focus, noting that while the team celebrated the win, the work immediately turns to preparation for the gold-medal matchup.
“We stayed tenacious and it paid off, and seeing contributions from so many players is a testament to this team, ” the coach said. With the final looming, both rosters will have little time to rest before a high-stakes rematch that promises speed, structure and the pressure of Olympic gold.
