The Wake

The U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team is Golden. Not because they are a hockey powerhouse searching for a second gold medal in the past three Winter Olympics, or because they defeated Canada for their first gold medal in the 2005 World Women’s Hockey Championship. They are Golden because five players representing the U.S. in Torino, Italy are past or present Golden Gophers, showing once again that the U is a hotbed for women’s hockey. Krissy Wendell, Natalie Darwitz, Courtney Kennedy, Kelly Stephens and Lyndsay Wall—all National Champions with the Maroon and Gold—now patriotically wear the Red, White and Blue in hopes of reaching the pinnacle of women’s hockey: a gold medal.

So Close to Gold

Another U.S. gold medal was inevitable in the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. They were the defending 1998 Olympic champions in Nagano, Japan; had an undefeated season record of 35-0; and were playing on their home soil. After decimating Germany, China, Finland and Sweden by a combined score of 31-1, only Canada—a team the U.S. had defeated eight consecutive times—stood in the way of back-to-back gold medals. Even Canada, the most dominant country in women’s hockey history, doubted their chances against the powerful U.S. team. “The way team U.S.A. womanhandled the Canadians in their eight game Road to the Olympics series—eight wins, no losses, 31-13 in goals—you wonder why Canada is even showing up,” said Cam Cole, a columnist for Canada’s National Post, before the U.S. played Canada in the gold medal game. Unfortunately for the U.S., Canada did more than show up—they reestablished their northern dominance with a 3-2 win over the United States.

Canadian Supremacy

The tides have changed for the 2006 Olympics. Canada has “womanhandled” the U.S. team defeating the U.S. seven out of the past eight games by a combined score of 31-6.

What to Expect

Women’s hockey is still a two-woman show with the United States and Canada dominating the competition. Since the first Women’s World Hockey Championship in 1990, both countries have finished in either first or second place every year. Sweden and Finland have made improvements, but still won’t be good enough to compete with the United States or Canada.

The Players

Krissy Wendell

Position: Forward

Hometown: Brooklyn Park, Minn.

In the past year Wendell lead the nation in goals (43), won a second consecutive NCAA championship after scoring two goals in a 4-3 victory over Harvard, became the first Gopher to win the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award (given to the most outstanding player in women’s intercollegiate ice hockey), scored the game winning goal in sudden death against Canada to give the United States its first IIHF Women’s World Championship, received MVP honors for leading the United States in scoring in the same tournament and was named captain of the U.S. women’s hockey team. Meanwhile, in the last year I have gained eight pounds and watched countless hours of football. I hate people like Krissy Wendell.

Did you know? Wendell batted third and played catcher for Brooklyn Center in the 1994 Little League World Series.

Natalie Darwitz

Position: Forward

Hometown: Eagan, Minn.

Darwitz assaulted the Gophers record book during her three year college career. She is Minnesota’s all-time leader in points (246), assists (144) and shots per game (6.36). She also set the NCAA record for points in a season in 2004-2005 with 114. Darwitz is both a national and world champion.

Interesting fact: We all know Darwitz as a hockey phenom, but what about the Great Darwitzio? The Star Tribune reports Darwitz can juggle knives and flaming clubs. Her advice while juggling knives is simple: If a knife flips sideways and is about to stab your hand, “drop it quick. It’ll just nick your finger.” Now that’s one woman I wouldn’t mess with.

Courtney Kennedy

Position: Defense

Hometown: Woburn, Mass.

In Kennedy’s senior season in 2000-2001 she was the WCHA Player of the Year, the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year, a first-team All-WCHA selection and a finalist for the Patty Katzmaier Memorial Award. She finished her Gopher career with 112 total points (35 goals and 77 assists). She also received a silver medal in the 2002 Olympics and a gold medal in the 2005 World Championships.

Police beware: Apparently Kennedy doesn’t keep her speed-demon status limited to the ice. In an interview with NBCprofiles.com Kennedy was asked, “If the speed limit is 55, how fast do you drive?” Her response: “80.”

Kelly Stephens

Position: Defense

Hometown: Seattle, Wash.

Stephens finished her Gopher career in 2004-2005 with 62 points (28 goals, 34 assists) and a school record plus/minus rating of +170 in 148 total games. She was also the second leading scorer on the U.S. team with seven points (three goals, four assists) in the 2005 World Championships. This will be Stephens’ first appearance in the Olympics.

Did you know? Stephens loves to surf and boogie board. Her favorite surfing spot is San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

Lyndsay Wall

Position: Defense

Hometown: Churchville, N.Y.

Last season Wall was the top-scoring defenseman in the country, (11 goals, 30 assists) helping the Gophers win a second consecutive national championship. As a 16 year-old, she was the youngest member of the U.S. women’s Olympic team in Salt Lake City. She had an impressive plus/minus rating of +11 in the tournament.

A Close Call: Wall’s lackluster performance at the national team tryout last year dropped her off the Olympic roster. Coach Ben Smith, knowing Wall’s potential, still gave her the chance to play her way onto the team. In her first performance on the pre-Olympic tour, Wall played stellar defense and compiled two assists in a 5-1 win over the WCHA all-star team. Her name was added to the roster shortly after.

Prediction:

The U.S. women are stacked. Cutting former team captain Cammi Granato and veteran Shelley Looney from the roster demonstrates the depth of team U.S.A.

U.S.A: Gold

Canada: Silver

Sweden: Bronze