PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The best women’s hockey teams for decades, fitting when members of Team USA and Team Canada met for a friendly match in Pittsburgh it went to overtime. Like the gold medal game in February, a close contest won by Canada, 4-3.
Canadian legend Marie-Philip Poulin’s shot in the crease about halfway through overtime deflected off the skate of American Megan Keller and into the net for the game-winner.
“Anyone who follows our team and our sport, for her to score an overtime goal,” said Canadian forward Blayre Turnbull. “It’s the new standard. Our team gets fired up about it, at this point I think she gets embarrassed about it.”
“Today was special,” Poulin said. “It was more than a winner and a loser, it was about women’s hockey. We made a statement again today. It was awesome to see little girls in the stands. When we take a step back and realize how many little girls are in the stands and want to be us some day. I think it’s awesome.”
“I think that’s the first thing we all noticed when we jumped on for warmups,” Turnbull said. “There were tons of kids with signs. We felt like we were part of the NHL, part of a pro league. It gives you that sense that people are behind us and want to support us.”
Periodic chants of ‘USA, USA’ helped to try and inspire the Americans who lost for the fifth straight time to Canada, seven of the last 10 losses by one goal. Even with the disappointment of losing, Team USA thought of the bigger picture
“If COVID has taught us anything, we appreciate the moments that we do get to have friends and family and fans in the crowd,” said Team USA’s Hilary Knight, who scored a goal Saturday. “Hockey is such an amazing sport to share with the masses. To not have that for so long we felt starved of that momentum and that support. What an incredible crowd, Pittsburgh showed up for us.”
It was estimated over 5,000 fans at PPG Paints Arena with only a two week notice of the announcement of the game.
Local connections
Amanda Kessel was one of nine forwards for Team USA. Her brother Phil won a couple of Stanley Cups with the Penguins.
“Pittsburgh really took to Phil,” Amanda Kessel said receiving a loud ovation when shown on the video board. “I know it’s a really special place to him. I got to experience that first-hand how passionate these fans are and how fun the games are. I got to feel that same atmosphere. To hear the fans cheering for me was a pretty special moment.”
“This was my first game here, hopefully I will be welcomed back.”
USA gold-medal defenseman Emily Matheson didn’t play but was a special coach for the game. Her husband, Mike, scored a goal for the Pens Friday night as a top pairing defenseman.