US Women’s Hockey Faces Canada in Olympic Tuneup
The Rivalry Series starts Thursday at 7 p.m., with a second game on Saturday. Both the American and Canadian women’s hockey teams are top contenders for gold at the upcoming Winter Games in Milan.
A Storied Rivalry Rekindled
After three days of practice at a suburban Cleveland rink, the two teams prepare for the Rivalry Series, held downtown at Rocket Arena. These teams share one of the greatest rivalries in sports, respected from past international battles but intensified by the growth of the PWHL, which has also fostered friendships among former rivals.
“Any time we put on our country’s jerseys, we don’t like each other,” said Megan Keller, Team USA and Boston Fleet defender. “It’s going to be a bloodbath, especially these Rivalry Series games. You know, it’s not Olympic gold medal time right now, but it’s kind of how it feels when you’re out there.”
Series and Broadcast Details
- The teams will play again in Buffalo on Saturday at 6 p.m.
- They will meet twice more in Edmonton in December.
- All games will be aired on NHL Network.
Significance Ahead of the Winter Games
This four-game series helps finalize rosters for the Olympics, with team announcements expected in late December or early January. The Winter Games opening ceremony is scheduled for February.
This series offers a glimpse at two of the strongest women’s hockey programs worldwide, consistently contending for gold and silver every four years.
Historical Context
Thursday's matchup marks the 193rd meeting between the US and Canadian women’s teams since their first encounter at the 1990 IIHF Women’s World Championships. Canada leads with 108 wins, while the United States has 83.