SOCHI, Russia (AP) — A two-goal lead blown in the final four minutes. A long shot that clanged off the post of an empty net. Two perplexing penalties in overtime, setting up a golden goal for Canada.
The U.S. women's hockey team has lost late in the last three Olympics, but never in such preposterously heartbreaking fashion as this 3-2 defeat on Thursday night.
While the Canadians received their fourth straight gold medals, the Americans were left blank-faced and crying at Bolshoy Ice Dome, still unable to comprehend the silver around their necks.
Kelli Stack, who nearly became an improbable hero with a long clearing attempt that hit the right post, says "to let them come back in the gold-medal game at the Olympics is the worst feeling in the world."