US Women's Hockey Coach Cautious Despite Recent Dominance Over Canada
As the women's hockey tournament at the Milan Cortina Games prepares to commence, the United States team appears formidable with its depth and talent. However, coach John Wroblewski was hesitant to embrace the favorite label just one day before the competition's opening.
Reflecting on Past Struggles Rather Than Recent Success
When questioned about his team's status as favorites following a practice session on Wednesday, Wroblewski initially avoided a direct answer. He then chose to emphasize the challenges the US has faced during his four-year tenure rather than focusing on recent achievements.
"You say we're favorites. What if you would have asked this in February of 2024?" Wroblewski remarked, referencing the team's disappointing performance in the Rivalry Series exhibition games against Canada earlier that year.
The Americans suffered a particularly difficult stretch during that series, losing the final four games by a combined score of 16-5. "Canada was cleaning us up in Rivalry. We weren't even getting the puck," Wroblewski recalled. "I remember those bruises and those scars. And I'm sure you've got Hilary Knight and Megan Keller, Alex Carpenter in particular, they were in those games and it's not much fun to be in those games."
A Complex Rivalry History
The rivalry between the United States and Canada in women's hockey has been remarkably balanced in recent world championship tournaments, with both teams winning two matches each since Canada secured its fifth gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Games.
While Canada has claimed victory in three of the past four Rivalry Series, the most recent encounters between November and December told a different story. The Americans dominated their northern neighbors, sweeping all four games with an impressive combined score of 24-7.
One particularly notable victory came in Game 3, where the US defeated Canada 10-4, marking the most goals the Canadian women's team has ever conceded in international competition.
Players Maintain Tournament Focus
US captain Hilary Knight, who is preparing for her fifth and potentially final Olympic appearance, remained measured in her assessment. "I don't know. You tell me?" she responded when asked about her team's favorite status. "It's a clean slate every time you get to a tournament. You have to work hard."
The United States begins its Group A campaign against Czechia on Thursday, with a highly anticipated showdown against Canada scheduled for Tuesday. Many anticipate these two hockey powerhouses will meet again in the gold-medal match on February 18th.
Contrasting Team Dynamics
Canada returns with significant experience, featuring 16 players from the squad that dominated the 2022 Beijing Games with a perfect 7-0 record and set numerous scoring records. Captain Marie-Philip Poulin continues to lead this seasoned group.
In contrast, the US roster has undergone a youth-oriented transformation. Only 11 of 23 players return from the 2022 team, with seven members yet to complete their college careers.
Canadian coach Troy Ryan acknowledged the quality of the American team, describing their roster as containing "one of the best young cores I've ever seen." However, he refused to concede any psychological advantage to the Americans despite their recent Rivalry Series success.
"Joking with our team, I said, 'No one put a parade together for the first three Rivalry Series wins, so I'm not going to hang myself on a Rivalry Series loss,'" Ryan stated.
Other Contenders in the Mix
While the US-Canada rivalry dominates headlines, other teams could influence the tournament outcome. Czechia and Finland have alternated winning bronze medals over the past four world championships, with Czechia claiming the honor in 2022 and 2023, followed by Finland securing the past two.
"It has allowed our confidence to grow. And with confidence comes hunger. So I think we're a hungry group," said Czechia coach Carla MacLeod, whose team made its Olympic debut just four years ago. "It's only our second Olympics. But certainly there's a belief in the room that we can go play our best games and see where it takes us."
Switzerland completes the Group A lineup, while Sweden enters as the favorite in Group B, which also includes Japan, Germany, Italy, and Olympic debutant France.
As the tournament approaches, the narrative remains complex. The Americans carry momentum from six consecutive victories against Canada dating back to April's world championships, yet both teams and their coaches maintain that tournament play presents a completely fresh challenge where past results offer no guarantees.
