Penguins to Host Canada, USA Olympic Rivalry Rematch
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
The two top teams in women's hockey are headed to Pittsburgh later this month.
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced on Tuesday afternoon that the organization, in partnership with the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association, will host "Rivalry Rematch" on Saturday, March 12th at PPG Paints Arena.
Rivalry Rematch is a game that features some of the best talent that women's hockey has to offer, pitting Team Canada against Team USA in a rematch of the gold medal game that recently took place at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Team Canada emerged victorious from that matchup with a convincing 3-2 win over their heated rivals, capturing Olympic gold from the United States in dramatic fashion after they toppled Canada at the previous Games in 2018.
“The Penguins are honored to support the Canadian and USA women’s hockey all-stars returning from Beijing and host the Rivalry Rematch at PPG Paints Arena,” said Penguins president and CEO David Morehouse in a statement on Tuesday.
“Growing the sport of ice hockey at all levels has been at the foundation of our franchise over the past 15 years. There is no doubt these women athletes have influenced and advanced the sport of hockey for girls, not only in Pittsburgh, but across North America. We are thrilled to host some of the best players in the world in front of our fans.”
While most players who participated in that gold medal matchup from a few weeks ago will be taking part in the Rivalry Rematch, one member of Team Canada's vaunted attack will, unfortunately, be absent. Olympic rookie Sarah Fillier will be unable to attend the contest set for later this month, with the high-scoring winger returning to school at Princeton after capturing gold.
Fillier's absence will undoubtedly be felt throughout Canada's lineup. But the nation still has a bevy of stars at its disposal, with captain Marie-Philip Poulin, Sarah Nurse, and Brianne Jenner, among others, set to defend their international title.
Needless to say, clear your calendars on March 12. You won't want to miss this.
