America celebrated gold medal joy and ended 20 years of Olympic misery against Canada in the most anticipated clash of the Winter Games last night and took the women’s ice hockey title.
A dramatic shootout saw America home after 2-2 draw.
The US were looking to end 20 years of domination by the Canadians and took the lead through former Boston Pride star Hilary Knight just before the end of the first period.
The United States celebrates after defeating Canada in a shootout to win women’s ice hockey
Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson (17), of the United States, celebrates scoring the winning goal
Gigi Marvin (19), of the United States, scores a goal against Shannon Szabados (1), of Canada, in the shootout
But America, watched by hundreds of fans screaming ‘USA USA’, could not contain the Olympic title holders who also had a large following.
Goals from Haley Irwin and Marie-Philip Poulin in the second period looked to have sealed it for the Canadians and their fifth successive gold.
But a late US goal from Monique Lamoureux took the title match into sudden-death overtime at 2-2.
She netted the final to bring US gold at 3-2 in the shootout.
It was particularly glorious for captain Meghan Duggan who had settled for silver twice before.
Team USA’s Monique Lamoureux-Morando is seen here celebrating after she scored the goal that tied things up and sent the game into overtime
Team United States celebrates after scoring a goal in the third period against Canada
Canada’s Marie-Philip Poulin celebrates after scoring a goal during the second period of the women’s gold medal hockey game
Haley Irwin of Canada celebrates with teammates after scoring a second period goal against the United States
Kelly Pannek (left), of the United States, and Marie-Philip Poulin (right), of Canada, collide during the first period
Duggan, the captain, 30, was defeated against Canada in Vancouver and Sochi.
But last night she punched the air and held the Stars and Stripes in celebration as Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born in the USA’ rang around the arena.
The two countries have been fighting for international supremacy since America last claimed gold in 1988.
America has been the bookies’ favorites despite being beaten by the Canadians in a preliminary Pyeongchang match en route to the final.
The US team celebrates scoring a goal, as a fan cheers them on, at the Gangneung Hockey Centre in South Korea
USA’s Monique Lamoureux-Morando (center) celebrates scoring against Canada’s goalie, Shannon Szabados (left), in the women’s gold medal ice hockey match
Lamoureux-Morando (left), #7 of the US, scores a goal against Szabados (right), #1 of Canada, in the third period
America had dominated the overtime but almost lost the final when Meghan Keller was sent to the sidelines for a two minute punishment for an illegal hit with less than one minute and 35 seconds remaining.
With the US a player down, Canada stormed forward but the Americans held in for overtime… and golden glory.
The US has 42 shots against Canada’s 31 in the match.
Several of the Canadian players openly wept at their defeat as captain Marie-Philip Poulin walked among them consoling and hugging them.
Meanwhile, there were tears of joy from the US.
Today show co-anchor Hoda Kotb cheers during the Women’s Gold Medal Game between Canada and the United States
Marie-Philip Poulin (left), #29 of Canada, collides with Brianna Decker (right), #14 of the United States, in the third period
Decker (right) lies on the ice after a collision in the third period against Canada’s Poulin (left) during the Women’s Gold Medal Game
Sidney Morin, #23 of the United States, celebrates after a first period goal by Hilary Knight, #21 (not pictured), against Canada