Hockey high for USA

Pyeongchang (South Korea): America’s women broke an ice hockey gold medal drought stretching back 20 years on Thursday at the Winter Olympics. American skier Mikaela Shiffrin was denied gold in the women’s combined, while veteran teammate Lindsey Vonn disappointingly bombed out of the same event — her final Olympic race.

In the ice hockey, USA edged fierce rivals Canada 3-2 on penalties, celebrating ecstatically when goaltender Maddie Rooney saved the decisive attempt from Canada’s Meghan Agosta.

America’s hockey win snapped a 24-game Olympic winning streak for Canada, the four-time defending champions. It also edged USA 12-11 ahead over their major rivals in Olympic and world titles.

In skiing, Shiffrin was restricted to second place in the women’s combined, meaning she ends the Games with one gold and one silver — a far cry from the potential five titles she had targeted. “I came into these Olympics knowing I could be a medal threat in multiple disciplines. I didn’t even know how many I would ski,” the 22-year-old said.

“After the gold in the giant slalom, I was really hopeful and positive. Then I had a tougher day in the slalom (when as defending champion, she lost her title) but it still feels good,” she added.

Vonn, 33 and competing at her last Olympics, led the combined after the downhill race, but she only lasted a couple of gates in the slalom before skiing out.

There was a shock in the men’s slalom as the favourites Marcel Hirscher and Henrik Kristoffersen both imploded.