In preparation for her fifth and final Winter Games, Hilary Knight showcased her scoring prowess with a remarkable three-goal performance in a 6-1 victory over Canada, giving Team USA a 2-0 lead in the women’s hockey Rivalry Series. Despite approaching the age of 36 and announcing her retirement after this Olympics, Knight, the team captain and a highly decorated player, displayed no signs of slowing down. Her impressive performance followed a strong PWHL season where she tied for the league lead with 29 points in 30 games.
Knight’s scoring spree, which included two goals in front of the net and an empty-netter, came after Abbey Murphy’s hat trick in the series opener, highlighting the offensive depth of the American team heading into the Milan Cortina Games. Laila Edwards, Kelly Pannek, and Hayley Scamurra also contributed goals for Team USA, while Gwyneth Philips made 29 saves as the projected backup goalie.
On the Canadian side, Marie-Philip Poulin found the back of the net, and Kayle Osborne, in her national team debut, made 26 saves. Despite the loss, Canadian coach Troy Ryan remains focused on improvement, acknowledging the strength of the American team while experimenting with different player combinations.
The series will continue in Edmonton after a break, with both teams aiming to fine-tune their lineups for the upcoming games. The U.S. has recently dominated the rivalry, winning four consecutive matches against Canada, including a thrilling overtime victory at the world championships. Knight’s exceptional performance and the team’s overall depth bode well for their prospects in the upcoming Winter Games.
