As the Olympics get underway, the hockey games are just hours from beginning!  Although Team USA isn’t favored to win either the men’s or women’s event (Canada is expected to take both), both have strong medal chances and show promise of some very highly contested matches.

The women’s team, favored to earn silver, contains 11 members with previous Olympic experience, including all three of their goaltenders.  This wealth of experience that extends even into the backup players is an asset that should lend to a well-prepared team.  The women have not won gold in this event since 1998, though they have medaled in every Games since.  As captain, forward Meghan Duggan leads the team in their quest to finally bring home the gold, rather than falling just short yet again in one of the final matches.

As far as the official odds go, the men are favored to just miss the podium in fourth place, but they look to prove those statistics wrong and show themselves to be medal contenders.  Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Bylsma will be navigating the team through the event, bringing a ‘Burgh connection to the Olympics this year!  Captain Zach Parise joins him in the leadership of the team who is hoping to beat the odds and show off their impressive strength as a cohesive team.

Hockey is one of the easiest sports to catch during the Olympics, with games going on seemingly at all hours of day and night throughout the duration of the Games.  Watch for updates on the progress of Team USA in hockey and other events as the competition heats up!