The two semifinal matchups are set, with four teams remaining in the men’s ice hockey Olympics competition in Milan Cortina. The United defeated Sweden in overtime, and will face Slovakia, who eliminated Germany earlier on Wednesday.
Canada also survived an overtime thriller, as they eliminated Czechia. They face 2022 gold medalists Finland in the other semifinal.
Canada (-500) and the United States (-800) are the moneyline favorites in their respective matchups.
Canada, -120
United States, +115
Finland, 15-1
Slovakia, 35-1
The gold medal game is scheduled for Feb. 22.
More: Tournament standouts | USA takeaways vs. Sweden
Dylan Larkin details the nerves he felt in Team USA’s matchup with Sweden and the jubilation after Quinn Hughes’ winning goal in overtime.
The gold medal final is set, as the dominant United States squad will face rival Canada in the Olympic final for the fifth straight games. Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin scored two goals in Canada’s semifinal win over Switzerland to become the all-time leading goalscorer in women’s Olympics ice hockey history, passing former teammate Hayley Wickenheiser.
American captain Hilary Knight is guaranteed to win her fifth Olympic medal, which could be the most for any American ice hockey Olympian. The United States have a +30 goal differential (31 goals scored, one surrendered) and the team has recorded five straight shutouts, most in women’s Olympic ice hockey history. Goalie Aerin Frankel has been in net for three of those shutouts, most of any woman in a single Olympics, according to ESPN Research.
The United States and Canada have combined to win every gold medal since women’s hockey became an Olympic sport in 1998.
Gold medal final
Feb. 19, 1:10 p.m. ET, Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
Moneyline: United States (-455); Canada (+350)
Puck Line: United States -2.5 (+114); Canada +2.5 (-135)
Over/Under: 5.5 (+110/-130)
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