USA and Sweden Advance to Semi-Finals

Quarterfinals Day 1 has officially wrapped with undefeated Sweden and USA moving on to the semi-finals.

Starting off the quarterfinals was Czechia vs Sweden. The match remained close with the first goal coming part way through the second period courtesy of Hanna Olsen for Swedish team. Czechia continued to fight in the one-goal game but Sweden kept getting in their way blocking lanes and shots, holding onto their lead. Having no luck getting through, Czechia pulled their goalie with less than a minute on the clock hoping to find the tying goal, but it would be Sweden who capitalized on the empty net. With the win Sweden moves on to the semi-final round as they chase a perfect gold. 

In the second match of the day, the dominant USA faced the hosts Italy. Through the preliminary round the USA found 5 goals in each of their four games with contributions coming from all over the ice. This dominance continued into the game against Italy, outshooting the hosts 51 to 6. Despite the loss Italy had an incredible showing, holding the US to only 1 goal in the first period, and shutting them out in the third period, becoming the first country to shut them out of a period. This was a historic year for the Italians starting the tournament with their first ever win in women’s hockey at the Olympics, then making the quarterfinal, they have a lot to be proud of. 

For the US it was Megan Keller who led the charge in the first period, giving the US the momentum for a powerful second period. In the second it didn’t take long for the US to get back on the board with Kendall Coyne-Schofield going back-to-back finding her first and second point of the tournament. Less than a minute later it was Laila Edwards with a snipe shot going through traffic to make it 4-0. Later in the period it was Britta Curl-Salemme finding her first Olympic goal with a wraparound. Wrapping up the US scoring was Hannah Bilka with her fourth of the tournament. With the win the US advance to the semi-final round as they chase a perfect gold. 

Semi-Final Set Up

It is not yet decided which teams Sweden or the USA will play in the semifinals as the teams get reseeded after the quarterfinal. The US will remain at the top of the standing winning Group A, while the remaining spots will be decided after tomorrow's matchups with Canada facing Germany and Finland facing Switzerland.