BEIJING — As far as palate-whetting Winter Olympics appetizers go, this one might as well have been a plate of foie gras topped with golden caviar and shaved truffles. Heck, served up nine days from now it would no doubt double as a delectable main course, too. Alas it was only the group stage, and so Canada’s 4-2 victory over the United States on Monday afternoon served little purpose other than to tease our tastebuds for what is all but certain to come.
“Any time we get to play the U.S. it’s always a lot of fun, a lot of pride in the line,” Canadian forward Sarah Nurse said afterwards.