However, within this rivalry Canada was by far the powerhouse. It had won all gold games, by scores of 5-2, 8-0, 6-3, and 4-3 (in overtime).

So, coming into the first Olympics where women’s ice hockey was a medal sport, it was clear the Canadians were significant favourites.

The two teams played the final game of the round robin, on 14 February 1998, and again three days later for the Olympic gold. In that first game, a tight and tense contest turned into a record-breaking one.

Canada scored early in the game on a Lori Dupuis goal only to see U.S. captain Cammi Granato score in the final minute to make it 1-1. A scoreless middle period set up a thrilling finish. Canada scored three quick goals, stunning the Americans and asserting themselves at exactly the right moment. That 4-1 lead seemed invincible.

But no sooner had the Canadians built their seemingly impenetrable lead than the Americans staged the greatest scoring binge the Canadians had ever experienced. Baker, Granato, Schmidgall, Dunn, Brown, and Baker again all pelted goals past Lesley Reddon in the Canadian net.

By the time was over, the U.S. had scored a shocking 7-3 win thanks to a 12-minute outburst in the final period that produced six goals. The nine total goals remains an IIHF record for most goals by both teams in a period (with both teams scoring).

That set the stage for a gold-medal game which, if anything, gave the Americans an edge, knowing now that they could beat Canada. Gretchen Ulion and Shelley Looney scored for the Americans as they carefully built a 2-0 lead, but a goal by Danielle Goyette at 15:59 of the final period set the stage for a dramatic finish.