USA Women's Hockey, Fairfield's Chu Reach Gold Medal Game At Olympics

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- An injured Julie Chu of Fairfield played Monday as the U.S. women's hockey team topped Sweden, 6-1, at the Winter Olympics In Sochi, Russia, to reach the gold medal game.

Julie Chu of the United States slams Michelle Lowenhielm of Sweden into the boards during the third period of Monday's game.
Photo Credit: *Olympics Games ?via Twittery @olympics24h*

Daily Voice

02/17/2014 2:00 p.m.

With victory at the Shayba Arena, the U.S. team heads to the finals in women's ice hockey, clinching no worse than a silver medal.

Four years ago, the Americans left the Olympics with a silver medal.

"When that buzzer goes off and it erupted in the arena and we fell short of our goal of being the best in the world, that hurts," Chu, a four-time Olympian, was quoted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as saying after Monday's win. "The last four years, that's been our goal."

Chu, who has two silver medals and a bronze, said, "We're going for a different color this time."

In Monday's game, Alex Carpenter and Kacey Bellamy scored in a span of 66 seconds in the first period, and Amanda Kessel gave the Americans a 3-0 lead. Megan Bozek, Kendall Coyne and Brianna Decker each had a goal and two assists.

Canada, a three-time defending champion, will have a chance for a fourth gold in a row with a victory over Switzerland later Monday.

Anna Borgqvist scored Sweden's lone goal.

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