OLYMPICS: Ice hockey-US, Canada group stage meeting promises intensity in Milan

MILAN — The United States and Canada are ready for a high-stakes clash as they renew their storied rivalry in women’s ice hockey at the Milano Cortina Games. U.S. veteran Alex Carpenter said Monday that the upcoming group stage matchup feels like a championship game.

The two nations are the only teams to have won gold since women’s ice hockey became an Olympic sport 28 years ago. They meet at Santagiulia Arena on Tuesday in what many see as a preview of the gold medal game.

“As soon as we get on the ice here or at any other international event, we’re all out for blood,” said Carpenter, the alternate captain, who scored a goal and added an assist in the U.S.’s 5-0 win over Switzerland on Monday.

Carpenter has scored in every Group A game for the United States so far in Milan. Her team is motivated by a desire for revenge after Canada denied them gold at the Beijing Games four years ago.

The Americans, boosted by young talent including defensive standout Laila Edwards, have allowed just one goal since arriving in Milan, defeating the Czech Republic and Finland in earlier games.

Canada will provide a tougher test. Their 5-1 win over the Czech Republic on Monday was overshadowed by injury concerns for star forward Marie-Philip Poulin, known as “Captain Clutch.”

Tuesday’s game marks the U.S.’s final match of the group stage. Canada will face Finland on Thursday. All five teams from Group A will advance, with seeding for the quarterfinals determined by preliminary standings.

“The stakes are higher, the intensity is higher. But we’ve just got to remind ourselves it’s still hockey, and we do pretty good at hockey,” said Edwards. “I think when we just stick to our brand, we’re intimidating.”

— Reporting by Amy Tennery in Milan; Editing by Christian Radnedge/Reuters