BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS

Over there, all the way over there in Beijing’s Winter Olympics, the United States women’s hockey team is sending a message across the ice, “Bring on Canada.”

Yes, the two long-rivals meet up again in Group A of the 11-team pack, both are undefeated, the red, white and blue at 3-0after shutting down a young Switzerland team, 8-0, during a preliminary game on Sunday, while the Canadians are 2-0 and set up this familiar clash in the group finale by overwhelming the Swiss,12-1, and then shutting down the Russian squad, 5-0.

Usually, these heated cross-border rivals face off in the United States or in Canada, but when the Winter Olympics settled in Beijing, the capital of China, that’s where the two will have to settle yet another one. They won’t have the full-house fans usually played before, but it is still the main stage for them on the ice rink.

Heading into this contest scheduled for 9:30 p.m. USA time on the USA channel, there wasn’t much talk about this anticipated meeting because the focus has been on the next opponent for each. But now that it’s down to this, it’s time for the words to be spread around.

And for the defending Olympic champion United States, it’s no doubt, “Bring on Canada,” same with the Canadians calling for “Bring on the USA.”, and seeking to avenge a loss to the Americans four years ago and also in Detroit, Mich., back in December of last year.

Said USA head coach Joel Johnson: “I think both teams feel they can win, both are confident, and both respect their opponents, for we are the finest world-wide women’s teams on ice. I know that’s how we are both approaching this, and that’s why it’s going to be fun to watch.”

But not much fun for the loser in a venue that will seat supporters of both countries. Thus far, the American team has turned in 18 goals and has given up seven.

This time, it was Hillary Knight scoring two first-period goals and veteran goalkeeper Alex Cavillini stopped a dozen shots in the team’s most complete performance so far. Kelly Pannek and Jesse Compher also tallied twice on a night when 13 of the 19 United States players earned at least a point.

“I was really happy with how we played,” said defender Lee Stecklein. “Just felt like we finally put together a full three periods. Looking forward to Monday’s early practice and then excited for Canada afterwards.”

Cavallini, who won an NCAA championship with Wisconsin in 2011, also won in her Olympic debut in 2018. She had considered retiring after those Olympics, but now she looks to perhaps handing in her sticks, skates and pucks after this one, and hopefully hoisting the championship trophy again.

“It was a long road to get here,” she said. “To be here again is really special and I seriously can’t thank my teammates enough for making it that much more special tonight.”

Johnson has been rotating his goalies, but the 32-year-old Cavallini is his first choice, and despite dealing with some what she calls, “Some injury stuff in recent months,” she hasn’t been specific, yet she and Johnson believes she’s about recovered and at 100 percent.

Knight now has nine career Olympic goals to tie Monique Lamoureux-Morando for fifth on the United States list. She has increased her Olympic point total to 22, one behind Katie King, who ranks third. Amanda Kessel and Dani Cameranesai also scored versus Switzerland.

The Swiss, making its fifth Olympic appearance, is being outclassed in Beijing  despite finishing fifth at the world championships in August, and eight years after winning the bronze medal at the Sochi Games. But its once veteran roster has turned into one with a young group still learning how much it needs to grow.

In the day’s only other game, host China got past Japan, 2-1, and by virtue of its shootout loss, Japan (2-0-1) earned a point to secure one of Group B’s three spots in the quarterfinals, the furthest its nation’s women’s has advanced in three Olympic appearances.

China (2-1) is in its Olympic women’s debut and can clinch a quarters berth by downing Sweden in its final preliminary game, or with one defeat by Sweden (0-2) or Denmark (0-2).