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≡ USA ICE HOCKEY OPENER ≡
/With reporting from Karen Rosen in Milan/The American women, at least the co-favorite for the gold medal at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games, opened with a clear, 5-1 win over the Czech Republic at the Milano Rho Arena before a noisy house and some special guests.
Those would be U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and his family and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio – wearing a USA flag sweater – and other American officials, along with a significant security detail.
The Americans took control right away, out-shooting the Czechs by 14-3 in the first period, with Alex Carpenter getting the only goal at 15:55, with assists to Megan Keller and Laila Edwards.
The U.S. attack really got into gear in the second, with scores from Joy Dunne at 3:13 of the period, then Hayley Scarmurra at 4:36 for a 3-0 edge. The Czechs got one back at 8:37 as Barbora Jurickova scored after a flurry of action in the U.S. end, but at 17:50 of the period, the U.S. went up 4-1 in a Hilary Knight goal and the issue was essentially decided.
Second-period shots favored the U.S. by 17-6.
The third was quieter, with a second goal for Scarmurra at 4:22 of the period for the 5-1 final. The Czechs got a late penalty, the only one of the period and the U.S. had an 11-5 edge on shots for a 42-14 total for the game.
Aerin Frankel stopped 13 of 14 Czech shots for the U.S. in goal.
Attendance was listed at 3,766 for the 5,700-seat venue, with plenty of NHL-style music, with a pro-U.S. crowd that sang along with “Sweet Caroline” during the second intermission. (Vance and Rubio shown below at the game; TSX photos by Karen Rosen.)
Rubio left with about nine minutes left and the Vance family with about six minutes to go in the third period.
The Americans will face Finland in its next game on the 7th, depending on the situation with the Finnish team (see below).
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In the other opening matches, Sweden eased past Germany, 4-1, and home Italy rolled over France by 4-1.
The scheduled Canada vs. Finland match was posted due to a norovirus outbreak on the Finnish team that affected as many as 13 players. An IOC-Int’l Ice Hockey Federation-Milan Cortina 2026 statement noted:
“The decision was taken following consultations with medical professionals after cases of norovirus were identified within Team Finland.
“It was made collectively and in accordance with established health and safety principles, with the health and well-being of players, team staff, officials and all tournament participants as the highest priority.”
That game has been rescheduled for 12 February.
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