2002 Us Women's Olympic Hockey Team Roster
The women's hockey tournament in the 2002 Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City, Utah was a historic event that saw the United States Women's National Ice Hockey Team clinching their first ever Olympic gold medal. The victory was a long time coming for the US team, which had previously won silver at the 2002 Olympics in Nagano and the 1998 Olympics in Nagano. To fully understand the significance of their win, we must take a look at the 2002 US Women's Olympic Hockey Team roster and how they secured their spot as the champions of women's ice hockey.
Team Formation and Preparation
The formation of the US Women's Olympic Hockey Team began in 1998, when the first ever women's hockey tournament was held in Nagano, Japan. Despite placing second, the US team was determined to win gold in the next Olympic Games, which would be held in Salt Lake City. The team's coaches, Ben Smith and Karen Bye-Robitaille, created a rigorous training program that included grueling practices and intense conditioning exercises. The goal was to ensure that the team was in top physical and mental shape for the upcoming tournament, and the players dedicated themselves to the task at hand.
The Roster
The 2002 US Women's Olympic Hockey Team roster was a who's who of the best players in women's ice hockey. The team was led by captain Cammi Granato, who had been part of the US team since 1990 and had won gold at the 1998 Nagano Olympics. Granato was joined by a talented group of forwards, including Karyn Bye, Katie King, Jenny Schmidgall-Potter, and Krissy Wendell. The defense was equally impressive, with veterans such as Angela Ruggiero, Chris Bailey, and Shelley Looney leading the way. In goal, the US team had Sara DeCosta and Sarah Tueting, both of whom had experience playing in international competitions.
The Tournament
The US team entered the 2002 Olympics as one of the favorites to win gold, but they knew that they would face tough competition from Canada, their biggest rival in women's hockey. In the first game of the tournament, the US team faced Finland and won 6-0, with Granato scoring two goals. The team continued their winning ways by defeating Germany 5-0 and China 12-1.
In the semifinals, the US team faced off against Finland once again, and this time won 4-0, with Wendell scoring two goals. The win set up a showdown with Canada in the gold medal game.
The final game was a tense and hard-fought battle, with both teams determined to win. The US team took an early lead with a goal from King, but Canada responded with two goals of their own to take the lead. In the third period, the US team tied the game with a goal from Wendell, and the game went into overtime.
Just six minutes into overtime, the US team won the game and secured their first ever Olympic gold medal. The winning goal was scored by Hayley Wickenheiser of Canada, but it was disallowed due to a dubious high-sticking call. The US team celebrated their victory, with Granato leading the way as she carried the American flag during the medal ceremony.
Conclusion
The 2002 US Women's Olympic Hockey Team roster is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and coaches who brought home the gold medal. The team's victory not only solidified their place in hockey history, but also helped to raise the profile of women's ice hockey around the world. The players on this team continue to inspire young girls and women to pursue their dreams and fight for equality in sports.