In preparation for her fifth and final Winter Games, Hilary Knight showcased her scoring prowess with a three-goal performance in a 6-1 victory over Canada, giving Team USA a 2-0 lead in the women’s hockey Rivalry Series at Buffalo’s KeyBank Center. Despite being 36 years old and announcing her retirement from the Olympics, Knight proved she is still a dominant force after a successful PWHL season where she tied for the league lead with 29 points in 30 games.
Knight’s impressive display followed Abbey Murphy’s hat trick in the series opener, highlighting the depth of offensive talent on the American team. Laila Edwards, Kelly Pannek, and Hayley Scamurra also found the back of the net for Team USA, while Gwyneth Philips made 29 saves as the projected backup goalie.
On the Canadian side, Marie-Philip Poulin scored, and Kayle Osborne, making her national team debut, stopped 26 shots. Coach Troy Ryan acknowledged the strength of the youthful American team and emphasized the importance of the exhibition games in evaluating his players and building a competitive roster.
The series will continue with games in Edmonton, with Team USA aiming to extend their winning streak against Canada. The Americans have emerged victorious in their past four meetings, including a recent overtime win at the world championships. Knight’s stellar performance and the team’s overall cohesion bode well for their prospects at the upcoming Milan Cortina Games in February.