It's not news that the popularity of hockey is declining, and will continue to do so as NHL players will not be allowed to participate in the Olympics. Couple that with the stigma that women's sports are not entertaining (a completely false claim) and you get the recipe for women's hockey going unnoticed. The United States women's national ice hockey team found themselves in an exhilarating championship game that ended in an overtime victory over their "rival" Canada.
Earlier this year, this was an unlikely matchup, not because of skill, but because the United States team was boycotting the tournament over fair pay practices. Just like with the United States Women's National Soccer Team, the female athletes were being paid significantly much less than their male counterparts.
Leaving social justice issues aside, the United States Women's National Team captured their fourth straight gold medal at the Women's World Championship. The game winning goal was scored by Hilary Knight securing the eighth overall championship and fourth in a row. What made it sweeter, is the fact that the win came against an old foe, the Canadian National Team, the only team that has been historically better in international competition. However, this year, Canada will have to settle for number 2, the silver medal, losing in what could be an instant classic in overtime.
The Americans were so dominant throughout the world championship tournament that they outscored opponents 26-5 including an 11-0 win over Germany.
The United States Women's National Hockey Team is quietly the most dominant team in American sports, and it doesn't look like that trend will be changing anytime soon. That is why they are this week's Women Crushed Wednesday!
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