Team USA Stays Dominant, Defeating Host Italy 6-0

For the first time, the United States and Italy met in a women’s hockey international tournament this afternoon. Italy entered the quarterfinal matchup–their first-ever appearance in a quarterfinal at the top division of women’s hockey–as the surprise of the Olympics, having won two of their preliminary round games after many expected them to lose out. However, the host’s feel-good story was no match for a Team USA that looks more dominant than perhaps ever before, as the Americans routed the Italians 6-0, while outshooting them 51-6.

The United States has now secured four straight shutouts at the Olympics, with Gwyneth Phillips picking up her second in as many appearances today. The U.S. has outscored their opponents 26-1 through five games, with the lone goal allowed against Czechia in the tournament opener.

The end score overshadows what was a tremendous first period from Italy. The United States outshot Italy 20-2, but thanks to remarkable defensive buy-in and some heroics from goaltender Gabriella Durante, the Americans only led 1-0 after a Megan Keller bomb from the tops of the circles.

As impressive as the Italians were in the first period, it was no surprise that they could not sustain it the whole game. The U.S. opened the floodgates in the second period, starting with Kendall Coyne Schofield’s first two goals of the tournament, which came within the first five minutes of the middle frame. Her first goal was via a rebound of defender Caroline Harvey’s shot, giving Harvey a tournament-leading eight points (now nine, thanks to another assist on the sixth U.S. goal) and sole possession of the record for points by a U.S. defender in a single tournament. Tara Mounsey (2002), Savannah Harmon (2022), and Molly Engstrom (2010) previously co-held the record with seven.

Coyne Schofield’s second goal came off a slick feed from Britta Curl-Salemme. Grace Zumwinkle picked up the secondary assist on the goal for her point of the tournament.

Just 26 seconds later, Laila Edwards sailed a wrist shot through traffic and past Durante to give the U.S. a 4-0 lead. 

The U.S. continued to dominate possession, not allowing Italy so much as a shot for over 25 minutes. But the goal scoring slowed down for a bit following Edwards’ tally. However, on an Italian power play, Curl-Salemme pounced on a rebound following a strong shorthanded effort by Joy Dunne, and she took the opportunity to score her first Olympic goal via a wraparound.

Despite the lopsided score and shots, the Italians did not go away quietly. The on-ice temperature rose throughout the period, culminating in a big scrum following Hannah Bilka’s goal at 18:27 of the second period. Bilka fell on Durante shortly after scoring, and Italy took exception, mixing things up with USA’s Abbey Murphy and Taylor Heise. The fire didn’t end there, as the two coaches were spotted yelling at each other through the glass, while players on both benches made their voices heard as well.

The third period went off without much pizazz, with Italy taking two penalties as the United States continued to pour on the shots. They couldn’t break through Durante again though, settling for a 6-0 quarterfinal win. 

The United States now awaits its semifinal opponent and time. Barring an upset by  #7 Germany over #2 Canada tomorrow, Team USA will play #6 Sweden, who upset #3 Czechia earlier this afternoon. The semifinal games are set for 4:40 p.m. local/10:40 a.m. ET and 9:10 p.m. local/3:10 p.m. ET on Monday, February 16.