US and Canadian Women Play for Gold — Again

At noon today, the US and Canadian women's hockey teams meet in the gold medal round of the 2014 tournament. It's a rematch of the 2010 final, and it should be intense.

Four years ago, the Canadians defeated the US 2-0 to capture its third-straight gold medal. It was the Americans' second silver medal in three tournaments — in both cases they were runners up to Team Canada. Since then, the rivalry between these two teams has gotten fierce. Just a few months ago, during an exhibition game, the two teams got into an all-out brawl:




In the 2014 tournament, Canada and the US finished 1-2 in Group A. Canada had a perfect 3-0-0-0 record, while the US went 3-0-0-1. That one loss? To Canada, 3-2, on February 12. But a more telling stat line is goals scored. Canada scored 11 times in the qualifying round. The US? The Americans racked up 14 goals — nine of which came in a 9-0 blowout of Switzerland.

It's tempting to pick the US to win its first women's hockey gold since 1998. But you overlook Canada at your own risk. The one thing that's certain, though, is that this game will be epic. 

Who do you think will win the women's hockey gold medal? Let us know in the comments section below!

Photo: AP Photo/Petr David Josek