USA Women's Hockey

Nothing motivates athletes quite like Olympic disappointment.

For several U.S. athletes who compete on ice, that was the theme this year. Olympians who either just missed out on a gold medal at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games or were far off the podium stormed back this year to claim medals at international events as if they were looting the coffers. By the end of the winter season, Team USA sliders and skaters won seven world titles and over 80 medals in world cup and other international competitions.

Although American men had their moments — Shani Davis winning his eighth world single distance title and luge’s Chris Mazdzer claiming four world cup medals, including his first gold — it was the Winter of Women on the ice. Of the 80-plus international medals won, nearly 60 were claimed by women. American women also claimed two overall world cup crowns and six world championship titles.

In early April, the U.S. women’s ice hockey team dominated competition at the IIHF Women’s World Championships, claiming its sixth world title in the last decade. In the gold-medal game, they beat Canada, 7-5 — the highest scoring gold-medal game in women’s world championship history.

During the event, Team USA won all its round robin games, then soundly defeated Russia 13-1 in the semifinal. In advancing to the gold-medal game, the U.S. women outscored their opponents 30-6. Hilary Knight, who led the tournament in goals with seven, was named the tournament’s most valuable player and received the Directorate Award for Best Forward. Forwards Brianna Decker and Knight, and Kacey Bellamy on defense all earned top players of the tournament honors.

The U.S. has played in the gold-medal game in all 16 of the previous women’s world championships, facing rival Canada each time.

Team USA also finished runner-up to Canada at the Four Nations Cup in November.

To read about the other Team USA Stars on the Ice this season, read the rest of Peggy Shinn's article here.