Team USA won their third gold medal in team history with a 2-1 overtime win against Team Canada. The US overcame a 1-0 Canadian lead with a goal from captain Hilary Knight, who in the process became the all-time leader in points and goals for Team USA. The US won the game in overtime with a dramatic goal from defender Megan Keller.
Four alumni of Pittsburgh Penguins Elite Hockey, Goaltenders Ava McNaughton, Gwyneth Philips, Laila Edwards, and Hannah Bilka, played integral parts in the tournament, with Edwards assisting Knight on the game-tying goal.
McNaughton is a native of Seven Fields, Pennsylvania, and is teammates with Edwards at the University of Wisconsin. Bilka provided offensive punch, tallying goals throughout the preliminary round and helping set the tone for a balanced American attack. Philips, also a former Penguins Elite netminder, contributed key saves in supporting roles that helped preserve leads and momentum. Edwards made history of her own this tournament, becoming the first African-American woman to play on the US women’s national team.
The Pittsburgh Penguins elite team is a partner of the professional club, fielding teams that compete in tournaments across North America. For their girls’ team, especially, it allows players the opportunity to compete against other teams and get scouted by college programs.
Kathy Pippy is the VP of Girls’ hockey development for the organization and is largely responsible for recruitment into the program and helping players and their families network with universities. Of the team’s success in Italy this year, Pippy said, “It’s been amazing to watch.” “All these girls support each other, and you can feel the camaraderie.”