Six Ohio State women’s hockey alumni and one current Buckeye will meet on the ice when the United States faces rival Canada in the women’s ice hockey gold medal match Feb. 19.
The U.S. has steamrolled competition in the Milano Cortina Games and has not allowed a goal in the past 16 periods of play. Ohio State junior forward Joy Dunne has had a positive impact during the American surge. As the youngest player on the American team, Dunne has two goals, three assists and a +7 plus-minus rating in her first Olympics.
Dunne is joined by two Ohio State alumni on the U.S. team, including Cayla Barnes, who scored her first goal of the tournament in a 5-0 semifinal victory over Sweden.
Dunne, Barnes and alum Hannah Bilka face off against four Ohio State alumni on the Canadian team: Jenn Gardiner, Sophie Jaques, Emma Maltais and Natalie Spooner (Canada, 1 goal). With two goals from veteran Marie-Philip Poulin upon return to the ice from injury, Canada beat Switzerland 2-1 and advanced to the gold medal game.
Sweden and Switzerland will face off in the bronze medal match in the morning before the gold medal final.
How to watch USA vs. Canada in women’s ice hockey Gold Medal game
All times Eastern. TV and streaming listings are subject to change, according to NBCOlympics.com
Ohio State players: Joy Dunne (USA, 2 goals, 3 assists) Jenn Gardiner (Canada, 1 goal), Sophie Jaques (Canada, 3 assists), Emma Maltais (Canada, 2 assists), Natalie Spooner (Canada, 1 goal)
Ohio State alumni: Hannah Bilka (4 goals, 3 assists), Cayla Barnes (1 goal)
Ohioans: Laila Edwards (Cleveland Heights, 2 goals, 5 assists), Gwenyth Philips (Athens, 6 saves, no goals allowed vs. Italy in quarterfinals)
How to watch Sweden vs. Switzerland in women’s ice hockey Bronze Medal game
Ohio State alumni: Andrea Braendli (Switzerland, 44 saves, 2 goals allowed vs. Canada) Hilda Svensson (Sweden, 1 goal, 5 assists), Jenna Raunio (Sweden, 4 assists), Mira Jungaker (Sweden, 1 goal)
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: USA, Canada battle for Olympic hockey gold. How to watch
Reporting by Dan Aulbach, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
