Ask the experts: going for gold

What about the US?

Risto: All teams in the tournament can defend, and Team Canada definitely can box out the opposition as well as the next team. Maybe Canada is the team that can use their physical advantage and keep Christina Scalese, Haley Box, Mary Derrenbacher, Annabelle Lovell on the outside. 

Of course, that still leaves Fanale, Kylie Amelkovich and Evelyn Doyle, and that’s not an easy task by any means. 

Morgan Stickney hasn’t really been tested yet, but it would be foolish to call her a weak link, so I won’t. 

Can’t wait to see this final, I just hope the coaches let the players go all out. 

Andy: It’s all a bit irresistible force meets immovable object, isn’t it? The US defence has been incredible so far. It’s not just the miserly two goals allowed through five games, it’s the lack of significant shots on Morgan Stickney’s net. The defensive effort has been rock-solid so far, albeit without facing an offence as potent as Canada’s.

Going forward, Bella Fanale’s game-winning semifinal show speaks for itself. Moreover, I like the way so many American players have contributed to the scoring: 17 skaters have at least one point, as does goalie Stickney after picking up an assist to go with her three shut-outs. There’s depth on this roster that can trouble any opponent.