Team USA’s Kelly Pannek celebrated their Olympic gold with joy and gratitude as they claimed victory over Canada in an exhilarating overtime showdown at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. The U.S. women’s hockey team had to battle hard, trailing 1-0 entering the final period but rallying to force overtime where Megan Keller scored the decisive goal.
Pannek, a seasoned forward, shared her thoughts with CBS News on Friday morning, emphasizing their unwavering belief in themselves throughout the game. “We knew it was just a matter of time before someone got that first one,” she said. “And then going into overtime, we felt really good about where our team was at and just kept trusting what we were doing.”
The gold medal victory marks Team USA’s third Olympic title since 2018 in South Korea. Post-game celebrations included the team posing for photos on the ice before continuing their festivities in the locker room and Winter House. Family members, friends, and supporters flocked to join them in celebration.
Pannek also highlighted the growth of women’s hockey in the U.S., noting a 65% increase in girls’ participation nationwide over the past 15 seasons. “It’s really cool now to see girls being able to play girls’ hockey,” she said, emphasizing how inspiring it is for young athletes who have something specific to aspire toward.
Pannek reminisced about her own journey from boys leagues to playing alongside and supporting fellow women in the sport. “It’s such an exciting time for a young girl to be able to play hockey,” she added with a laugh, acknowledging that holding the gold medal around her neck feels heavy but promising much for the future of U.S. women’s hockey.
As Team USA carries forward their Olympic spirit, they look ahead to continued success and growth in this dynamic sport.