U.S. Women’s Hockey Team Gold Medal Victory Tour Ends in Newark

NEWARK, NJ – The gold-medal winning United States women’s hockey team etched themselves into the history books with their thrilling 3-2 shootout win over Team Canada less than two weeks ago at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Gangneung, South Korea. On Tuesday evening, Team USA concluded their cross-country, eight-day celebration at the Prudential Center in Newark as they were honored in a pre-game ceremony by the New Jersey Devils with 11 of its players in attendance for the honorary puck drop at center ice.

Throughout their celebratory tour, Team USA basked in the glory of their gold medal run as they shared the joy and experience with fans from different parts of the country. In total, the gold medalists were honored at five hockey venues including the Washington Capitals-Toronto Maple Leafs Coors Lights Stadium Series Game at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis over the weekend.

After the outdoor game, the women made a special visit to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. where they engaged with local kids and participated in girls’ hockey activities, serving as an inspiration to the next generation of athletes.

The women’s hockey team were even guests on the popular talk shows Ellen and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The only thing that was missing from the tour was a parade, Hilary Knight joked.

It was Knight, the three-time Olympian, who put Team USA on the board late in the first period scoring a power play goal in the gold medal game to give the United States a lead.

“(Sidney Morin) made a shot at the point and I managed to get the puck passed the goaltender,” Knight smiled as she recalled the goal. “Bringing back the gold to the U.S. has been incredible and we’re just trying to share this with as many people as we can.”

After coming up short of gold in back-to-back tries in Vancouver (2010) and Sochi (2014), it made Team USA’s triumph that much more satisfying.

“It’s crazy when I sit back and see that there’s a handful of us that have accomplished everything there is on the women’s side,” Knight explained. “At the same time you think about how much more room there is to push this sport forward and how hungry we are as competitors to compete on the world stage and represent our country. There’s still a lot of work to be done for us.”

Brianna Decker, who had the secondary assist on Knight’s goal, echoed those sentiments and said that it was an honor to be able to represent her country and a responsibility that she ‘didn’t take lightly.’

The alternate captain and Wisconsin-native is looking forward to sharing the gold medal with more kids, but is also eager to get back to work as she has her eyes set on competing in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

“That hunger of getting back there and back up on the stage is a goal of mine,” Decker, 26, added. “We know what it takes – all the hard work and dedication to be able to get the gold medal and we’re just going to strive for that again.”

The victory in South Korea gave the United States its second gold medal in women’s ice hockey, and its first in two decades since they claimed the inaugural gold medal at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan.

The U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team has now medaled in all six Olympic appearances to date (gold – 1998, 2018; silver – 2002, 2010, 2014 and bronze – 2006).

The full list of players in attendance at the Prudential Center included:

• Amanda Kessel
• Hilary Knight
• Megan Keller
• Kali Flanagan
• Haley Skarupa
• Cayla Barnes
• Emily Pfalzer
• Brianna Decker
• Maddie Rooney
• Gigi Marvin
• Sidney Morin

As the Devils closed out their 6-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens, chants of ‘USA’ could be heard throughout the arena. It’s clear that Team USA’s success in the Winter Olympic Games has had a contagious effect on hockey fans as the women’s sport looks to continue to build momentum over the next decade.