SALT LAKE CITY (voa) – Canada has won the women’s Olympic ice hockey gold medal by defeating the host United Sates, 3-2, in the final Thursday in west valley City, Utah.
Hayley Wickenheiser broke a second-period tie and Kim St-Pierre stopped 25 shots, as Canada ended a 50-year gold medal drought in Olympic hockey. While Canada’s drought ended, so did the impressive U-S winning streak. The U-S women had won 35 straight games since last April. Canada was also the last team to beat the United States, which won the gold four years ago.
The United States had 10 power plays, but in 15 minutes of time with an extra player on the ice, team USA could only produce one goal. Karyn Bye scored in the third to bring the U.S. women back into the game before Canada played a strong defense to preserve the win.
Meanwhile, Sweden has defeated Nordic rival Finland 2-1 to capture the bronze medal in the women’s Olympic ice hockey tournament at the 2002 Winter Games.
Evelina Samuelsson scored a pair of first period goals to stake the Swedes to a 2-0 lead, and goalkeeper Kim Martin kicked out 32 of 33 shots by Finland to preserve the win.
Hanne Sikio scored Finland’s only goal in the middle of the second period. Canada faces the United States in the highly anticipated gold medal match later in the day Thursday.
