NWHL Salutes Team USA: Eight Players on the Golden Moment
Published on March 2, 2018 under Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) News Release
The shockwaves are still being felt throughout the hockey world following Team USA's thrilling win over Team Canada in the Gold Medal Game last Thursday morning (in East), as we all finally get back to our usual sleep schedules. If you're reading this, it's probably safe to say you'll remember where you were, who you were with, and what you were feeling when you watched Maddie Rooney make the final save to earn the USWNT its first Olympic Gold since 1998.
Many players that came back from South Korea with gold medals around their necks have strong ties to the NWHL - whether they played in the league, or played with or against its current players collegiately or growing up. So I thought, who better than to get the reactions from than some of the people that know the Golden Girls better than most of us?
Here's what some of our players had to say:
Corinne Buie, forward, captain for the Buffalo Beauts:
"It's special. Playing with so many of those girls, I know what it means to them, the work that they've put in. They really deserved to win. It's been 20 years for the U.S. to finally bring home (another) gold medal. It means a lot for the girls that are watching the Olympics at a young age and seeing that they can be up there one day winning a gold medal. Every Olympics is special, but to have us at the top of the podium for this one was amazing. To be able to watch it with my teammates at 716 Food and Sport was really special and something I will always remember."
Taylor Accursi, forward for the Buffalo Beauts:
"It was an amazing game, really back-and-forth and it was obviously close, going to a shootout. Everybody was vibe-ing off of that. You looked around and the place was packed to watch a women's hockey game. At the end it was 2:30 in the morning and everyone was still there, everyone was still loud and giddy about it. Just being able to look around and see how far women's hockey has come, and still how far it has to go, it was incredible. It was so much fun, I mean being Canadian I was on the losing end but it was an incredible game to watch. I was the only Canadian there (laughs), so I felt extremely outnumbered! But the goals in the game, they were good goals. Anyone who plays hockey would respect the goals."
Miye D'Oench, forward for the Metropolitan Riveters:
"Speaking as a sports fan, it was a pleasure to watch. It was gritty, exciting, and stressful...everything anyone could want in a game. It's amazing to see years and years of work on display, and as a fellow women's hockey player, they made us proud. They set a new gold standard for little girls to dream of!"
Kimberly Sass, goalie for the Metropolitan Riveters:
"USA vs Canada was a thrilling game to watch. It was amazing to see past teammates and NWHL players earn the gold medal that USA Hockey has waited 20 years for. Despite being a goalie who loves breakaways, I would have to say the shootout is not the right way to end an Olympic Gold Medal Game. Overall, I thought this game was a great example of composure, perseverance, and focus by Team USA. #GoUSA"
Alyssa Gagliardi, defender for the Boston Pride:
"It was really so special watching the USA women win gold. To have seen first-hand over the last few years how hard they work every single day to achieve that goal, it was just a really cool moment to finally see that come to fruition, and see them celebrate being Olympic champions. It was a fantastic game by both teams and something that gets people talking about women's hockey and inspiring girls around the world.
Paige Harrington, defender for the Boston Pride:
"I was in Hawaii watching the Gold Medal Game at a local restaurant. My eyes were glued to the TV, watching the game go back and forth on the ice. Everyone in the room was going crazy during the shootout! I felt so proud of the women on the team, for all of their hard work and dedication to the sport. Not only did it feel like a win for the USA, but women's hockey in general."
Sydney Rossman, goalie for the Connecticut Whale:
"It was the most entertaining hockey game I have ever watched and it was so inspiring watching everyone give it their all. I grew up playing with a lot of those players, and I still look up to them to this day. Winning gold was a huge moment for not only the United States, but for women's hockey."
Keira Goin, goalie for the Connecticut Whale:
"It's exciting that Team USA won the gold medal, and anyone who watched the game can attest to how high the level of hockey we play is. But I think what's most exciting to me is just all of the buzz and attention that the sport is getting. With the U.S. taking home the gold medal, it's a good feeling knowing and hoping that more people are going to discover a love for what we do."
Premier Hockey Federation Stories from March 2, 2018
- Q&A with Taylor Accursi - Buffalo Beauts
- NWHL Salutes Team USA: Eight Players on the Golden Moment - PHF
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
