In preparation for her fifth and final Winter Games, Hilary Knight showcased her scoring prowess with a three-goal performance in the U.S. women’s hockey team’s 6-1 victory over Canada, taking a 2-0 lead in the Rivalry Series. At 36 years old, Knight, the team captain and a highly accomplished player, demonstrated her skill despite announcing her retirement from the Olympics in May. Her impressive performance followed a successful PWHL season, where she tied for the league lead with 29 points in 30 games.
Knight’s goals, including an empty-netter, highlighted her ability near the net. This scoring spree came after Abbey Murphy’s hat trick in the series opener, emphasizing the American team’s offensive depth as they gear up for the Milan Cortina Games in February. Knight praised her teammates for their hard work and teamwork, emphasizing the collective effort in securing the win.
The game also saw contributions from Laila Edwards, Kelly Pannek, and Hayley Scamurra, with Gwyneth Philips making 29 saves for Team USA. On the Canadian side, Marie-Philip Poulin scored, and Kayle Osborne, in her national team debut, stopped 26 shots. Despite the losses, Canadian coach Troy Ryan remains focused on improvement, acknowledging the competitive nature of the games and the learning opportunities they provide.
The series will continue with two games in Edmonton in December, where Ryan plans to field a lineup closer to the final roster. The U.S. team’s recent dominance over Canada, including a victory at the world championships, sets the stage for an exciting rivalry as both teams prepare for the upcoming Olympics.