Canada beats US 3-2 in women's hockey

SOCHI, Russia, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Canada beat rivals Team USA, 3-2, in women's hockey at the Sochi Games, by coming back from behind to score three goals in the third period.

The U.S. had a 1-0 lead going in to the third period but Canada made a comeback by scoring two quick goals to take the lead. Canada's Meghan Agosta-Marciano tied the game with a power-play goal, with assistance from Hayley Wickenheiser. It was then Wickenheiser's turn to score a goal, but not without controversy.

Wickenheiser pushed the puck toward U.S. goalie Jessie Vetter, who tried to stop it with her body. It managed to get through and cross the goal line, but not before the referee blew his whistle. Despite the protests of Team USA's captain Meghan Duggan that the goal be disallowed because of the whistle, the goal was reviewed and the score was 2-1 Canada.

Meghan Agosta-Marciano scored another easy goal and brought the score up to 3-1 for Canada.

The U.S. scored another goal with 1:05 left in the third quarter, but could do no better and were held off by the Canadians.

Both teams have qualified for the semifinals on the backs of victories in their first two pool-play games. This is fifth time the two teams have met in the Olympics, but the first time they have met in the preliminary round. After Team USA won the gold in 1998, when women's hockey was added to the Games, it has been the Canadians who have dominated their Olympic encounters ever since.

[WaPo] [Minneapolis Tribune Star]