Sports
USA vs. Canada is the women’s Olympic hockey rematch everyone was waiting for
MILAN — Since women’s hockey was introduced as an Olympic sport in 1998, the only two teams that have won gold are the United States and Canada.
That will remain true this year. The rest of the world is starting to catch up, with emerging programs from Sweden, Czechia and even Switzerland, which made a surprising semifinal run. However, the North Americans remain the gold standard on the international stage.
Canadian women have won five of the seven Olympic gold medals, and they’re the reigning champions after a 3-2 win over the U.S. in the 2022 Games in Beijing. But there’s a new twist this cycle: Team USA is the overwhelming favorite. The U.S. owned Canada in a four-game Rivalry Series leading up to the Games and have been a powerhouse here in Milan, beating Canada 5-0 in round-robin play. But dynamics can change anytime there’s a gold medal on the line.
“Knowing the pressure of that moment, the energy in the building, it’s going to be different,” said U.S. veteran Kendall Coyne Schofield, who has already played in three Olympic gold-medal matches. “But really it’s just about emptying the tank. Whatever you have left. It’s a long tournament, just empty it. Go out there and give it your best. That’s all you can do.”
Here’s what that might look like when the teams face off on Thursday at 1:10 p.m. ET.
How did each team get here?
The U.S. women have absolutely dominated in Milan. They have outscored opponents 31-1, scoring at least five goals in every game. Team USA enters the final with five straight shutouts — including its beatdown of Canada last week.
Coach John Wroblewski has preached the importance of rolling four lines since before the tournament, and he has been able to achieve that so far. The Americans have received contributions from everyone. Fifteen different players have scored goals. Veterans like Alex Carpenter and Coyne Schofield have three goals each. Rising stars Laila Edwards and Caroline Harvey lead skaters in ice time and have a combined for 16 points. The most dynamic line has been the one featuring Olympic rookies Hannah Bilka, Taylor Heise and Abbey Murphy.
Hayley Scamurra, a 31-year-old veteran who has been on six World Championship teams, isn’t afraid to say it: This is the best team she has ever been on. “Oh yeah,” Scamurra said after the U.S.’s 5-0 semifinal win over Sweden. “100 percent.”
Canada, meanwhile, decided to take a much older team to Milan. Coach Troy Ryan often relies on players he’s comfortable with. They returned 16 players who helped them win gold in Beijing, but left home some of their ascending talent — which has become a topic of discussion after Canada looked much slower against the United States the first time around. In that game, each of Team USA’s four goal scorers would have been the youngest players on Team Canada.
However, the Canadians were without captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who missed the game with a right knee injury. Poulin is back and dragging her team along into the fight. The Canadians didn’t have much trouble against anyone else, until their semifinal game against Switzerland. Despite outshooting the Swiss 46-8, Canada won by a slim 2-1 margin. Both goals came in the second period from Poulin. She is clearly gutting through the injury (the broadcast has showed Poulin getting carted from the locker rooms to the ice to avoid putting additional pressure on her knee). There’s a reason they call the 34-year-old Captain Clutch.
Player for each team who has impressed the most so far
Get ready for Caroline Harvey to become a household name. She has already been hyped up by Matthew Tkachuk, who said she reminds him of Bobby Orr. “That was crazy,” said Harvey, who wears No. 4, but said it is just coincidentally the same number as the Hall of Fame defenseman.
Harvey, a senior at Wisconsin, is noticeable all over the ice, covering a ton of ground with her skating. The PWHL has never seen a draft class like the one coming this June. In any other year, Edwards or Murphy might be the clear-cut No. 1, but as of now, Harvey is the consensus pick. Another player expected to go high in the draft is Tessa Janecke, who has put up five assists in six games in a fourth-line role.
Poulin was most impressive for Canada when her team needed her the most in the semifinals, but that’s nothing new. Her two goals vs. Switzerland gave her 20 in her Olympic career, breaking a tie with countrywoman Hayley Wickenheiser (18) for the most in women’s hockey.
Perhaps the most compelling story for Canada is the reemergence of Daryl Watts. The forward’s talent was never in doubt; she won the Patty Kazmaier Award as college hockey’s best player in 2018 as a freshman. But when she was left off Canada’s 2022 roster, she quit hockey for nearly a year and pursued a career in commercial real estate. Now she’s back in pro hockey and shining for Canada. Watts assisted on both of Poulin’s goals against Switzerland and has eight points in the tournament.
Biggest question mark for each team heading into this game?
For the Americans: Have they been tested enough?
So far, they’ve crushed the competition. When the players were posed that question after demolishing Sweden, Edwards had a reasoned response: “Believe it or not, we have been challenged. We’ve just overcome it and succeeded.”
After all, they can only play the competition in front of them. Veteran defenseman Cayla Barnes explained why the U.S. has been able to come out on top in so many of these games: “It’s a testament to the pressure we put on teams. We’re relentless. We do a good job of wearing teams down.”
For Canada, the question is simply: Can it keep up with its biggest rival?
Everyone is expecting this game to be much more competitive than the group-stage meeting, in which Canada looked less determined, less connected and slower. Again, when gold is on the line, everyone has the ability to play the game of their life. All of the players who scored (Poulin and Sarah Nurse) or assisted (Claire Thompson, Brianne Jenner) for Canada in the 2022 gold-medal game are still on the roster.
As U.S. captain Hilary Knight said of Canada: “That’s a battle-tested team.”
The U.S. will win if __
It maintains its identity, which Scamurra described as “a calm confidence.” The U.S. has a spark plug in Murphy, who entered these Olympics leading college hockey in both goals and penalty minutes. The win over Sweden was a microcosm of Murphy’s duality. She roofed a gorgeous goal at the 15:12 mark of the second period, and a few minutes later got called for interference for taking out the Sweden goalie behind the net.
Murphy has been one of the most effective players on this roster. Through the Americans’ quarterfinal win against Italy, Murphy led all U.S. players in drawing nine penalties. The next closest player on her team drew only two.
Teams are trying to get under the United States’ skin. According to the players, Knight had a talk with them during the Italy game to not lose focus. Play their game, don’t do dumb things, and it’s their gold to win.
Canada will win if __
Goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens locks in. Poulin can only do so much on her own. She’ll need more help from her teammates. But realistically, a team is always at risk of getting stonewalled by the opposing goalie. Desbiens didn’t get much action against Switzerland, allowing one goal on eight shots.
It’s not even a guarantee she starts; Emerance Maschmeyer could also get the call. Both are veteran goalies who also play in the PWHL. Maschmeyer is coming off an injury from earlier in the season, while Desbiens was on a heater before the Olympics. That likely tips the scales for Desbiens as the starter, and we know she has the capabilities. But the best goalies in this tournament so far have been Americans. Aerin Frankel has had a spectacular tournament, with a .985 save percentage in five games, while Gwyneth Philips was strong in stopping 20 shots for a shutout in her lone start. The Canadians need a similar performance in net.
INDIANAPOLIS — Michigan star forward Yaxel Lendeborg said he “absolutely” plans to play in the national title game against UConn on Monday night.
Lendeborg sprained his left MCL and left ankle in the first half against Arizona on Saturday night, and an MRI on the knee Sunday morning came back “very clear,” according to Michigan trainer Chris Williams.
Williams told ESPN on Sunday that Lendeborg’s injury is a “low-grade” MCL sprain in his knee, which also has a “small bone bruise.” The ankle sprain is also considered “low grade” and has minimal swelling.
“He’s still tender and walking around a little bit gingerly, but good,” Williams said.
On Sunday night, when availability reports for both teams were released, Lendeborg was not listed by the Wolverines.
Lendeborg played just 14 minutes on Saturday against Arizona, spending much of the first half getting treated in the locker room. Coach Dusty May said Sunday that the decision to play will be up to Lendeborg and the Michigan medical staff, which has indicated confidence that he will be available.
“I’m sure he’ll give it a go tomorrow,” May said.
Lendeborg’s knee loomed as a bigger concern than his injured ankle, and he clarified that’s what the MRI revealed. He returned to the court and played nine minutes in the second half, wearing a compression sleeve over the injured knee, but he appeared clearly limited.
“He played the second half like a 38-year-old at the YMCA,” May said. “And a really good 38-year-old at the YMCA.”
Williams told ESPN that he stayed in Lendeborg’s room until 4:30 a.m. after the Arizona game, giving him treatment on the knee. Williams said that his aim for Lendeborg’s agility for Monday is a much younger version than May’s description. “Hopefully 18,” Williams said.
Despite being hobbled, Lendeborg drained a pair of second-half 3-pointers, as he finished with 11 points on four shots.
Williams said he’s “very optimistic” about Lendeborg’s availability. Williams laid out the next 30 hours or so until tipoff: “It should be a lot of treatment still. I’m going to be in his room a lot. He’s going to be in my room a lot. So, we’ll be doing treatment around the clock and just trying to manage his pain the best we can.”
He said that the treatment will be on the knee and ankle, and he plans to use a Hivamat machine and a Class 4 laser.
Williams told ESPN on Saturday night that he’ll be spending a lot of time with Lndeborg.
“He might move into my room,” Williams said Saturday. “You’re laughing, but he might move into my room. We have two beds in there, so we might have to find another room for my wife and my son.”
College baseball brought the heat the past week and a slew of home runs to go along with it. But while there was some fiery play on the diamond, this week’s top 25 rankings don’t look a whole lot different.
UCLA faced probably its toughest test yet in USC this past weekend, but the Bruins proved why they have been the No. 1 team in the country all season long and swept their crosstown rival in Jackie Robinson Stadium.
Alabama made another big jump this week, going from No. 16 to No. 8 to be ranked in the top 10 for the first time this season after winning its series against Oklahoma, but the week’s biggest riser was UCF as the Knights jumped up 11 spots to No. 12.
LSU is back in the rankings at No. 24 after taking two on the road against Tennessee. After beating Florida twice, Ole Miss has rejoined the top 25 and the Gators have exited. Also gone from the rankings this week is Kentucky after it lost its series to Missouri.
Here are the entire top 25 rankings as of April 4, plus our favorite moments and what we’re watching in the week to come.
Top moments
A big-time rally! Kansas hit four home runs in the bottom of the ninth to walk off and beat Utah 14-12. The Jayhawks would go on to sweep the Utes, as well.
ICYMI, @SportsCenter will get you caught up 😏
4 HR in the bottom of the 9th on Thursday to walk it off‼️#RockChalk pic.twitter.com/pvp7y7lOCe
— Kansas Baseball (@KUBaseball) April 4, 2026
And this play from Texas’ Casey Borba is incredible.
Casey Borba can do it all! 😮💨#NCAABaseball x 🎥 SECN+ / @TexasBaseball pic.twitter.com/HFpqzeZkvw
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) April 4, 2026
Player to watch
Cade Arrambide, C, LSU
We’re all-in on Arrambide. Against Tennessee in Knoxville, he hit four home runs in the series finale to help seal the series win for LSU.
0:55
Watch LSU’s Cade Arrambide make SEC history with four homers
Arrambide becomes the first player in program history to hit four home runs in a game for the Tigers as he also finishes with seven RBI against the Vols.
And let’s just watch that grand slam one more time for good measure, because even though that surely would have been electric in Alex Box Stadium, there has to be something even sweeter about doing that on the road in the SEC.
0:54
Cade Arrambide’s 12th inning grand slam caps off 4-HR day
LSU’s Cade Arrambide clubs a grand slam in the 12th inning for his fourth homer of the game in the Tigers’ win against Tennessee.
LSU has had its fair share of struggles throughout this season, going from the No. 2-ranked team in the country to falling out of the rankings completely last week. But with Arrambide getting hot — he has eight total home runs on the season to go along with 23 RBIs — the defending national champions are certainly bound to keep turning things around.
Series to watch
No. 2 Texas at No. 18 Texas A&M
Game 1: 8 p.m. Friday (SEC Network+)
Game 2: 3 p.m. Saturday (ESPN2)
Game 3: 2 p.m. Sunday (SEC Network+)
Jim Schlossnagle makes his first return to College Station, and we’re sure Aggies fans will have it out for their former coach. After leading Texas A&M to the Men’s College World Series in 2024, he left to become to the Texas head coach, as if an already-charged rivalry needed any more juice. But Schlossnagle has his Longhorns ranked at No. 2 in the country, and the Aggies have seemingly found their footing this year and are ranked at No. 18. Who’s to say what will actually happen between these two squads, but we’ll be watching every minute of it.
Updated top 25
Here are D1baseball.com’s latest rankings, plus information on each team’s next game.
All times Eastern.
1. UCLA Bruins
Previous rank: 1
Record: 29-2
Next game: at Cal State Fullerton, 9 p.m. Tuesday (ESPN+)
2. Texas Longhorns
Previous rank: 2
Record: 26-5
Next game: vs. Incarnate Word, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday (SEC Network+)
3. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Previous rank: 3
Record: 26-5
Next game: vs. Kennesaw State, 6 p.m. Tuesday (ACC Network Extra)
4. Georgia Bulldogs
Previous rank: 5
Record: 27-6
Next game: vs. Presbyterian, 3 p.m. Tuesday (SEC Network+)
5. Florida State Seminoles
Previous rank: 7
Record: 24-7
Next game: vs. Florida, 7 p.m. Tuesday (ESPN2)
6. North Carolina Tar Heels
Previous rank: 6
Record: 27-5
Next game: vs. Charlotte, 7 p.m. Tuesday (ACC Network)
7. Oregon State Beavers
Previous rank: 9
Record: 24-6
Next game: at Washington State, 7:05 p.m. Monday
8. Alabama Crimson Tide
Previous rank: 16
Record: 25-8
Next game: vs. Samford, 7 p.m. Tuesday (SEC Network+)
9. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Previous rank: 4
Record: 25-7
Next game: vs. UAB, 7 p.m. Tuesday (SEC Network+)
10. Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Previous rank: 8
Record: 23-9
Next game: vs. New Orleans, 7 p.m. Tuesday (ESPN+)
11. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Previous rank: 14
Record: 23-8
Next game: vs. Wake Forest, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday
12. UCF Knights
Previous rank: 23
Record: 20-9
Next game: vs. Stetson, 6 p.m. Tuesday
13. Virginia Cavaliers
Previous rank: 10
Record: 24-9
Next game: vs. James Madison, 6 p.m. Tuesday (ACC Network Extra)
14. USC Trojans
Previous rank: 12
Record: 27-6
Next game: at UC Santa Barbara, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday (ESPN+)
15. Auburn Tigers
Previous rank: 18
Record: 22-9
Next game: vs. Jacksonville State, 7 p.m. Tuesday (SEC Network)
16. Oklahoma Sooners
Previous rank: 11
Record: 21-10
Next game: at Dallas Baptist, 7:30 p.m. Monday (ESPN+)
17. West Virginia Mountaineers
Previous rank: 13
Record: 21-7
Next game: vs. Marshall, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday (ESPN+)
18. Texas A&M Aggies
Previous rank: 20
Record: 25-6
Next game: at Texas State, 7 p.m. Tuesday (ESPN+)
19. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Previous rank: 19
Record: 26-6
Next game: vs. Kansas, 7 p.m. Tuesday
20. Arizona State Sun Devils
Previous rank: 25
Record: 23-9
Next game: at Grand Canyon, 8:05 p.m. Tuesday
21. Oregon Ducks
Previous rank: 15
Record: 24-8
Next game: at Portland, 8 p.m. Wednesday (ESPN+)
22. Arkansas Razorbacks
Previous rank: 17
Record: 20-13
Next game: vs. Little Rock, 7 p.m. Tuesday (SEC Network+)
23. Boston College Eagles
Previous rank: 22
Record: 22-11
Next game: vs. UMass, 3 p.m. Tuesday (ACC Network Extra)
24. LSU Tigers
Previous rank: NR
Record: 22-11
Next game: vs. Bethune-Cookman, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday (SEC Network+)
25. Ole Miss Rebels
Previous rank: NR
Record: 22-11
Next game: vs. Alcorn State, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday (SEC Network+)
Multan Sultans have won the toss and elected to bowl first against Rawalpindiz in the 14th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Monday.
This will be the first time both Sultans and Pindiz face each other in the PSL.
Playing XIs
Multan Sultans: Steven Smith, Sahibzada Farhan, Josh Philippe (wk), Shan Masood, Ashton Turner (c), Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Nawaz, Peter Siddle, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Muhammad Ismail and Faisal Akram.
RawalPindiz: Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Yasir Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings, Abdullah Fazal, Dian Forrester, Rishad Hossain, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Amir Khan and Asif Afridi.
This is a developing story and is being updated with further details.
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