USA women’s hockey final live: Canada takes the lead in Winter Olympics gold medal match – UK Times

With the hammer, it’s a perfect response from Team GB, who produce the takeouts when it matters.

GB went into their final stone with red in the four-foot, though Switzerland had put themselves in a decent position themselves after getting ahead of the guard.

But the Brits ensure there are no steals this time, knocking one yellow out of play and drifting another red into the button to seal two points. And we’re all square!

12 mins: Two huge opportunities to equalise go begging for the US.

The first falls to Bilka, who just shoots too high after having it put on a plate for her by Murphy.

But a couple minutes later, it’s Wynne who has the goal at her mercy but the American is denied by the keeper. The puck fell to the best player from a Canadian perspective – Wynne is not exactly a heavy goalscorer.

Then up the other end, Canada look to capitalise on the US’ missed chances and so nearly force it over the line – but it’s smothered by the stopper!

GB’s Zoe Atkin just kicked off her halfpipe freeski campaign and produced a very impressive first qualifying run!

She records a score of 91.50 and comfortably shifts into first place.

Defending Olympic champion Eileen Gu also fell on her first run.

1 min: Within a minute of the restart, the USA’s resistance is broken!

Stacey breaks forward before squaring it to O’Neill, who shows incredible poise to control the puck, cut across the American defender and slide into the net.

The reigning Olympic champions have the lead!

Switzerland once again with the hammer after blanking the first end, and they more than make up for any missed opportunity by notching two big points in the second.

They played it very well, with GB unable to get the edge with their last stone and leaving the button open to take.

The Brits have work to do.

Switzerland start with the hammer, giving GB the objective of at the very least preventing a flying start for their opponents.

At one point it looked like GB were at risk of giving away a couple points, but after a bit of drama that saw Mouat and his counterpart get mixed up trying to sweep each other’s stone out of the house, the Brits manage to prevent any real damage from being done.

No animosity after the tumble – a nice change given the shadow that’s been cast over curling at these Games – and Switzerland blank the first end.

A big scare at the end for Canada as the USA see an effort just go the wrong side of the post, and that’s all she wrote for the first period!

Still all to play for in this gold medal match.

20 mins: With 14.1 seconds left, the US are playing their first power play.

Canada’s goal will be simply to get out of the first period unscathed.

18 mins: Canada get the power play but it’s the US who are beginning to really probe.

The defending champions are looking a tad ragged and are getting caught out by the backdoor pass that is allowed the US to break away on the counter.

Some huge defensive recoveries prevent any real damage from being done to Desbiens’ goal.

The US have had five shots, Canada have had eight. This game is so finely balanced.

Both teams shake hands and are onto the ice. We are just about to get underway.

Now or never for GB’s curling medal hopes.